VÖOST is proud to support the LGBTQIA+
VÖOST is proud to support the LGBTQIA+ community with the announcement of their partnership with the 2023 Sydney WorldPride and Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras. Part of a three-year partnership developed by parent company Procter & Gamble Australia, the venture will see VÖOST activate across Sydney WorldPride and Sydney Mardi Gras, including a VÖOST drag queen participating in the P&G Lead with Love Float during the world-famous parade, and releasing a video featuring Josh Cavallo to encourage inclusivity in sport. VÖOST, along with other participating P&G Brands, have proudly partnered with Minus18, a charity focused on championing LGBTQIA+ inclusion for our youth. As part of this year’s campaign, P&G are supporting Minus18 in creating Anti-Bullying Resource Kits which will reach over 45,000 students across Australia.
Recently, the first international study on homophobia in sport, Out on the Fields, found that 70% of LGBTQIA+ people do not feel sport is safe and welcoming. VÖOST firmly believe this exclusion of LGBTQIA+ people in sport is unacceptable and want to proactively work to change that. As a long-term supporter of Australian sport, including partnerships with some of the country’s top athletes, VÖOST seeks to encourage every Australian, regardless of gender or sexual identity, to be comfortable and proud to play sport at all levels.
To support this objective, VÖOST have partnered with Adelaide United star Josh Cavallo, who in 2021 made global headlines when he became the world’s first openly gay active professional male footballer. In an effort to encourage inclusivity in sport, VÖOST has released a short film telling Josh’s story to coincide with Sydney WorldPride and Sydney Mardi Gras this February. The film sees Josh revisit his childhood football club in his hometown of Melbourne and discuss his journey and experience coming out.
“When I was younger, LGBTQIA+ players in the footballing world didn’t exist. That’s something I struggled with growing up,” Josh said of these early years. “There were many years that I was hiding. It definitely hit me more when I was in the professional game because I had to live a double life”.
Josh began to imagine a life where he didn’t have to hide an important part of his life. “Imagine if the world knew this, imagine if my teammates knew this”, he considered. So, he made the decision to come out. “I slowly started telling everyone, and then I came out to the world, and it was absolutely like a transformation for me.” he said.
Of his new identity as a role model, Josh said; “On the field I’m Josh the footballer but off the field, I would like to encourage and keep on inspiring the next generation, the current generation and the people older than me to be themselves.”
Through these partnerships, activations, and ambassador relationships, VÖOST aims to be a force for good, helping to create meaningful change for the LGBTQIA+ community. For further information, images, and interview opportunities with Josh Cavallo, please contact: Lucy Gallagher General Manager, Modern Currency E: lucy@moderncurrency.com.au
