Josh Cavallo calls on David Beckham to ‘speak out’ against anti-LGBTQ Qatar
Exclusive: The Australian player spoke to Attitude on the red carpet of the 2022 Virgin Atlantic Attitude Awards, powered by Jaguar.
The Australian footballer, Josh Cavallo, has called on David Beckham to “speak out” against Qatar ahead of the FIFA World Cup taking place this year.
The World Cup is due to take place in the Middle-East country from 20 November to 18 December. Homosexuality is illegal in Qatar and punishable with up to three years in prison, or death under Sharia law.
Cavallo, who became the only openly gay player at the top level of football when he came out last October, was speaking exclusively to Attitude on the red carpet of the 2022 Virgin Atlantic Attitude Awards, powered by Jaguar ahead of collecting his Man of the Year award.
Discussing David Beckham’s promotional deal with Qatar ahead of the games, for which the former England player has received a backlash, Josh told Attitude that, “I just hope he’s continuing to be an ally for the LGBTQ community.”
Pointing to Qatar’s strict anti-LGBTQ laws Josh adds that it’s a “crucial time for us,” adding “we need as many allies and support as we can.”
Asked what his message to Beckham would be the Adelaide player said: “We need him we need you to speak out. We need some help. It’s difficult for the people that have LGBTQ children, then you understand, then you get it. When no one in the family or no one you’re related to is in that group it’s harder to understand. So it’s important icons like himself, with the audience that he can reach, are clear [and] that he makes a point on this stuff.
Later on, as he collected his Man of the Year award, supported by Virgin Atlantic Josh said that “the work that still needs to be done is staggering. For many standing up and living honestly will put them in harm’s way, it’s dangerous. Even deadly.”
He promised to speak up on behalf of LGBTQ athletes adding, “I vow to stand up for LGBTQ athletes and fans at the World Cup in Qatar.” Turning to FIFA and Qatar, Josh added: “The world is watching. Do you see us?” to cheers from the audience.
On being at the Awards nearly a year since coming out Josh admits to being overwhelmed but excited.
He goes on to say that the last year has been a whirlwind and it’s been phenomenal to see the impact he’s had considering Jake Daniels and Zander Murray have both come out since.
On the messages he often finds nowadays in his inbox he says it’s nice to hear from celebrities etc. but, “it’s the everyday mums, dads, grandparents, and kids themselves that reach out and say I’ve helped influence and change their life for the better. Hearing that is absolutely phenomenal.
“It touches my heart and it makes me warm on the inside.”
Josh also addressed the incident from the weekend where former Real Madrid player Iker Casillas and his former teammate Carles Puyol joked about coming out as gay.
Josh had previously tweeted that the incident was “disappointing” but he elaborated to Attitude: “It’s so hard to work up the courage [to come out] and we do so much work on ourselves to prepare for that moment. To see it being mocked by legends of the game, the icons in our game, we all look up to them as role models, it was just disappointing for me to see that message being sent to the world.”
On a more positive note, Josh hinted at plans to improve inclusivity in football and sport.
“I haven’t even started on what I want to do yet,” he told us excitedly. “There are so many things I want to help the community to create a safer and safer place for us in the world. So we’ve got a long way to go. But I’m so happy to start there and influence the world for the better.”