- Australian’s first public speaking engagement since his summer switch to U.K.
- 25-year-old made history as the only active out gay male footballer in a top-tier league
- Tickets just £20 for Friday’s event at The Y Theatre, with packed programme of culture, comedy and conversation
Attendees at Football Pride can catch Josh Cavallo as part of Friday’s event programme
Josh Cavallo, whose courageous decision to come out as gay in men’s professional football has inspired LGBTQ+ people and allies around the world, will be a guest speaker at Football Pride on Friday.
The event at The Y Theatre in Leicester, organised by Football v Homophobia, will mark the 25-year-old’s first public speaking engagement since he moved from his native Australia to the U.K. earlier this summer.
Since sharing his story publicly in 2021, Cavallo has consistently used his platform as a pro athlete to advocate for greater LGBTQ+ inclusion in sports as well as global human rights.
Football Pride, taking place the day before Leicester Pride, offers attendees a rich programme of performances, panel discussions and positive representation, all linked to the LGBTQ+ community in the game.
Acclaimed stand-up comedian and AFC Bournemouth fan Andrew White is also on the bill, along with Sarah McCreadie – the official Wales team poet at Euro 2025 – spoken-word artists myndstate and Munroop, and two of the stars of BBC TV’s ‘I Kissed a Boy’, Lars Fellows and Jordan Burrow.
There will also be special film screenings of TRUK United FC documentary ‘We’ll Go Down in History’ and the comedy ‘Solers United’, which follows the fortunes of a queer grassroots team; and a theatrical performance of the new play ‘For Too Free Won’ by writer-director Ethan Pascal Peters.
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Cavallo will join a panel exploring the experiences of LGBTQ+ people pursuing professional careers in football, covering coaching and player care as well as challenges on and off the field.
Supporters will also be well served, with time set aside to discuss the burning issues facing queer fan groups, such as the Premier League replacing Rainbow Laces amid an increase in reports of discrimination.
Meanwhile, Football v Transphobia lead Natalie Washington will convene a panel of fellow players, all campaigning alongside their teammates to build a future within trans-inclusive women’s football.
FvH director Lou Englefield says: “This will be the third consecutive summer in which we have held Football Pride, and we’re grateful to The Y Theatre and our friends in Leicester for hosting us this Friday.
“There really is no event quite like it – it’s joyful and uplifting, with a strong spirit of protest that’s fitting for the fractious times we’re living in.
“Football is always a reflection of society and as LGBTQ+ folk, it’s essential that we continue to create space alongside our many allies.
“Stories like Josh Cavallo’s remind us of the need for solidarity, and we’re looking forward to welcoming him and all our speakers and performers, as well as the many FvH supporters whose pride and passion so enriches the sport we all love so much.”
Sponsoring Football Pride this year are the EFL, the League Managers Association, and Professional Game Match Officials (PGMO).
Football Pride at The Y Theatre in Leicester city centre is on Friday 29 August 2025, from 10am to 5pm. See the full event line-up here.