Identifying as LGBTQ+ in Men's Football: A Toxic Environment
“We've got mountains to do” - the athlete on anti-gay prejudice in football
“You don't belong on this earth” ... “What are you doing here?” ... “Don't take another breath.”
Since revealing he was gay in 2021, player the athlete has faced constant threats and abusive messages on social media.
“When I first saw these messages, it broke my heart,” the player states. “Nobody should have to endure such words.
“I'm trying to get better as a player and be the best I can be on the pitch, and then get put down due to my identity. It's disgusting.”
Midfielder the sportsman 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 sign with lower-tier club Peterborough Sports, who play in front of crowds of about 400 in the sixth division, the sixth tier of English football.
The 25-year-old balances his sports career for the Cambridgeshire part-timers by speaking up on inclusion matters and using his profile - boasting over a million followers on Instagram - to champion equality and acceptance.
“Definitely, we've got mountains to do,” Cavallo comments when asked if football still has a problem with discrimination.
“Rarely a week passes without encountering problems.”
‘Individuals wish to hurt me’
The player was raised in Melbourne
Several years passed for the athlete to work up the courage to say “I'm gay” before revealing his sexuality on 27 October 2021.
“My only desire is compete in soccer and be treated equally,” he said in an accompanying video.
Cavallo was 21 and making a name for himself at Adelaide United in Australia's top flight when, backed by his colleagues, he announced his orientation publicly.
“I didn't know what was ahead. I didn't know what to expect,” he recalls. “The moment seemed appropriate in my life. I needed to move forward.”
The heartfelt revelation clip, titled ‘Josh's Truth’, gained massive attention on social media.
“My phone was flooded with encouraging words. It was overwhelming.”
Liverpool were among numerous famous teams around the world to express support for Cavallo, with then manager Jurgen Klopp saying: “I appreciate that he did it because it sparks conversation.”
Barcelona defender Gerard Pique also expressed backing, posting online that “soccer culture is lagging behind and your actions drive progress”, while Adelaide United issued a statement backing their “extraordinary” and “brave” player.
Others, however, were less welcoming.
Cavallo quickly became a target of homophobic abuse by opposition fans.
In January 2022 a competing team were penalized A$5,000 over anti-gay abuse from fans aimed toward Cavallo during a game.
“The comments I encountered were hurtful and derogatory towards my community,” he says.
“I remained calm because responding would encourage detractors.”
A scary event occurred at a gas station in Australia, where the athlete was assaulted by someone who recognised him from the coverage.
“It was terrifying,” he recalls. “I remember thinking ‘this is real - individuals intend to hurt me’.
“Is it acceptable? Absolutely not. But by coming out, this is what it brings.
“I hope that future individuals who comes out while competing in soccer at a professional standard won't face the journey I have endured.”
Cavallo says the constant menacing messages and abusive messages have taken a toll on his psychological well-being.
“It's quite sad because I must justify why I belong on the football field for my identity,” he states.
“We don't sit straight people down and ask ‘why should you exist in football?’.
“A lot of people see me as a smiling, optimistic person. But there are days when I rely on my partner, his name, and he gets to see a lot that happens behind the scenes.”
‘Premier League player coming out would move mountains’
The player's choice to reveal his sexuality helped prompt teenage attacking player another athlete to come out as the Britain's sole publicly out active male professional footballer in spring 2022.
Nevertheless, there are no openly gay or bisexual players in the top English division.
“It would move mountains,” says the footballer on the impact a elite athlete revealing their orientation would make.
“But I'm not going to sugar-coat it. Numerous frightening aspects that would come this person's way. Within soccer culture, being an openly gay player is a highly hostile environment.”
Twenty-seven years after a pioneering player - Britain's first openly gay male footballer - died by suicide in 1998, Cavallo has spoken about the “toxic masculinity” that persists in men's football.
“Simply attend to a game and observe the hostile environment and masculinity that the audience creates,” he says.
“Much remains to be done to make sure there is a secure environment in soccer for people like myself and Jake.
“We haven't seen it (additional athletes revealing their orientation) as frequently as desired.
“My role is to continue advocating for principles I believe in, and strive for taking out the harmful male norms in soccer locker rooms and establishing secure environments.”
‘I'm here to create change’
The athlete was awarded an honorary degree from Flinders University in Adelaide in 2022, honoring his efforts as a inspirational figure in sport and a advocate for fairness
Cavallo says football has allowed him to have conversations inside dressing rooms about revealing one's orientation.
However, he is disapproving toward soccer's global governing body, after the Middle Eastern nation, where same-sex relationships are against the law, staged the global tournament in 2022.
Future World Cup is scheduled in Saudi Arabia, where same-sex attraction is similarly prohibited.
“Do I approve that the global championship is in nations that ban gay unions, where individuals like myself will be imprisoned for merely living on that land? It's scary,” states the athlete.
“I get messages [from people living in these countries] saying ‘I'm about to be put in prison for being who I am - is assistance possible?’.
“It's devastating that people are getting locked up for their true selves.
“Certain nations that are huge in terms of football and they don't accept LGBTQ+ people. Those are the countries that tend to target me.”
Nevertheless, Cavallo says he won't cease advocating.
“Football has allowed me to start conversations in the locker room. It has allowed me to speak and inform individuals who want to learn more.
“Not everyone is going to like you for your identity. But I've discovered support. I have found my community.
“My purpose is to create change. That's what I'm here for.”
