Identifying as LGBTQ+ in Professional Soccer: A Toxic Environment
“There's still so much to accomplish” - Cavallo on anti-gay prejudice in soccer
“You don't belong on this earth” ... “What are you doing here?” ... “Stop breathing.”
After announcing he was gay in 2021, footballer the athlete has received daily death threats and abusive messages on social media.
“When I first saw these messages, it broke my heart,” Cavallo explains. “No-one wants to read things like that.
“I'm working to improve my skills and be the best I can be during matches, and then face criticism because of who I am. It's appalling.”
Midfielder Cavallo was at Adelaide United four years ago when he emerged as the sole publicly out top-flight male professional footballer in the world.
This summer he departed from Australia to join non-league Peterborough Sports, who compete before audiences of about 400 in National League North, one level below of English football.
This young athlete balances his sports career for the semi-professional team by advocating for inclusion matters and using his profile - boasting over a million followers on Instagram - to promote fairness and inclusion.
“Absolutely, we've got mountains to do,” the footballer comments when questioned about ongoing issues with homophobia.
“Rarely a week passes without encountering problems.”
‘Individuals wish to hurt me’
The player was raised in Melbourne
It took years for the athlete to build up the bravery to say “I'm gay” before revealing his sexuality on October 27th, 2021.
“All I want to do is compete in soccer and be treated equally,” he said in an related clip.
The player was 21 and making a name for himself at Adelaide United in the premier division when, backed by his colleagues, he publicly came out.
“The future was uncertain. I had no expectations,” he says. “The moment seemed appropriate in my life. I needed to move forward.”
The heartfelt revelation clip, entitled ‘Josh's Truth’, went viral on social media.
“My phone was flooded with encouraging words. The response was incredible.”
A prominent club were among numerous famous teams around the world to express support for the player, with then manager the German manager saying: “I appreciate that he took this step because now we talk again.”
Spanish player Gerard Pique also offered support, posting online that “soccer culture is far behind and you are helping us move forward”, while Adelaide United issued a statement backing their “remarkable” and “courageous” player.
Some people, however, were less welcoming.
Cavallo soon turned into a subject to anti-gay remarks by opposition fans.
In January 2022 a competing team were fined A$5,000 over discriminatory chants from spectators directed at Cavallo during a game.
“The things I'd hear were painful and derogatory towards my community,” he says.
“I didn't react because responding would encourage detractors.”
There was a frightening incident at a gas station in Australia, where Cavallo was physically attacked by someone who recognised him from the media attention.
“That was a scary moment,” he remembers. “The thought crossed my mind ‘this is real - individuals intend to hurt me’.
“Is it acceptable? Definitely not. But by coming out, these are the consequences.
“My wish is that future individuals who comes out while competing in soccer at a professional standard won't face the journey I have experienced.”
The player says the daily death threats and abusive messages have taken a toll on his psychological well-being.
“It's disappointing because I must justify why I belong on the soccer pitch for being who I am,” he states.
“Heterosexual players aren't questioned and ask ‘what gives you the right in football?’.
“A lot of people see me as a cheerful, positive person. But sometimes when I lean on my fiance, Leighton, and he witnesses a lot that happens privately.”
‘Premier League player coming out would move mountains’
Cavallo's decision to reveal his sexuality helped prompt teenage Blackpool forward another athlete to come out as the Britain's sole publicly out active male professional footballer in spring 2022.
However, there are no openly gay or bisexual players in the top English division.
“It would move mountains,” says Cavallo on the impact a Premier League player coming out would make.
“But I must be honest. There are a lot of scary things that would come this person's way. Within soccer culture, identifying as LGBTQ is a very toxic place.”
Over two decades after Justin Fashanu - Britain's first openly gay male footballer - died by suicide in 1998, Cavallo has spoken about the “toxic masculinity” that still exists in men's football.
“You just need to go to a game and observe the unfriendly atmosphere and male-dominated culture that the crowd brings,” he says.
“Much remains to be done to ensure there is a secure environment in football for individuals like me and Jake.
“Progress has been limited (additional athletes revealing their orientation) as frequently as desired.
“I can only keep pushing for principles I believe in, and work towards eliminating the harmful male norms in soccer locker rooms and establishing secure environments.”
‘I'm here to create change’
Cavallo received an honorary doctorate from an academic institution in Adelaide in 2022, honoring his efforts as a role model in athletics and a advocate for fairness
Cavallo says football has enabled discussions within team environments about revealing one's orientation.
Yet, he is disapproving toward Fifa, after the Middle Eastern nation, where homosexual partnerships are illegal, hosted the men's World Cup in 2022.
The 2034 tournament will be held in Saudi Arabia, where homosexuality is similarly prohibited.
“Do I approve that the global championship is in nations that criminalise same-sex marriages, where people like me will be put in prison for merely living on their territory? It's frightening,” states the athlete.
“I get messages [from people living in these countries] saying ‘I face imprisonment for being who I am - can you help me?’.
“It breaks my heart that people are getting locked up for their true selves.
“There are countries that are huge in terms of football and they don't accept the queer community. Those are the countries that tend to target me.”
Despite this, the footballer says he won't cease advocating.
“Soccer has allowed me to start conversations in the locker room. It lets me communicate and inform individuals who seek understanding.
“Some will disapprove for who you are. But I have found my family. I have found my community.
“My purpose is to drive progress. That's my objective.”
