Being Gay in Professional Soccer: A Toxic Environment

“You don't belong on this earth” ... “What are you doing here?” ... “Stop breathing.”

Since revealing he was gay in 2021, footballer the athlete has received daily death threats and abusive messages on online platforms.

“Upon reading those comments, it broke my heart,” the player explains. “No-one wants to read things like that.

“I'm trying to get better as a player and be the best I can be during matches, and then face criticism due to my identity. It's appalling.”

Midfielder the sportsman was at Adelaide United back in 2020 when he became the only openly gay elite soccer player in the world.

Recently he left 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 speaking up on inclusion matters and leveraging his platform - boasting over a million followers on social media - to promote fairness and inclusion.

“Definitely, we've got mountains to do,” Cavallo says when asked if football still has a problem with homophobia.

“Rarely a week passes without encountering problems.”

‘People want to harm me’

Several years passed for the athlete to work up the courage to say “I am homosexual” before revealing his sexuality on October 27th, 2021.

“All I want to do is play football and receive fair treatment,” he stated in an accompanying video.

The player was twenty-one and building his reputation at Adelaide United in the premier division when, with the support of his team-mates, he publicly came out.

“The future was uncertain. I didn't know what to expect,” he says. “It felt like the right time in my life. I wanted to take the next step.”

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 show solidarity with the player, with the coach at the time Jurgen Klopp saying: “I'm really thankful that he did it because now we talk again.”

Barcelona defender Gerard Pique also offered support, posting online that “the world of football is far behind and your actions drive progress”, while Adelaide United released a comment supporting their “extraordinary” 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 penalized five thousand dollars over anti-gay abuse from fans aimed toward Cavallo during a game.

“The comments I encountered were painful and disparaging towards LGBTQ people,” he says.

“I remained calm because responding would encourage detractors.”

A scary event occurred at a gas station in Australia, where Cavallo was physically attacked by someone who recognised him from the coverage.

“It was terrifying,” he recalls. “The thought crossed my mind ‘this is happening - individuals intend to hurt me’.

“Is it acceptable? Definitely not. But through my disclosure, this is what it brings.

“My wish is that future individuals who comes out while competing in soccer at a professional standard doesn't have to experience the path I have endured.”

Cavallo says the daily death threats and abusive messages have taken a toll on his mental health.

“It's disappointing because I must justify why I belong on the football field for being who I am,” he says.

“Heterosexual players aren't questioned and ask ‘why should you exist in football?’.

“A lot of people see me as a cheerful, positive person. But sometimes when I rely on my partner, Leighton, and he witnesses a lot that happens behind the scenes.”

‘Premier League player coming out would move mountains’

Cavallo's decision to reveal his sexuality helped prompt teenage Blackpool forward Jake Daniels to come out as the UK's only openly gay playing soccer professional in spring 2022.

Nevertheless, there are no openly gay or bisexual players in the Premier League.

“It would move mountains,” says Cavallo on the effect a Premier League player revealing their orientation would make.

“But I must be honest. Numerous frightening aspects that would come this person's way. Within soccer culture, being an openly gay player is a very toxic place.”

Twenty-seven years after Justin Fashanu - the UK's initial out soccer professional - took his own life in 1998, the current athlete has discussed the “harmful male culture” that still exists in men's football.

“Simply attend to a match and see the hostile environment and masculinity that the audience creates,” he explains.

“Much remains to be done to make sure there is a secure environment in soccer for individuals like me and his colleague.

“Progress has been limited (additional athletes revealing their orientation) as frequently as desired.

“My role is to continue advocating for principles I believe in, and strive for eliminating the toxic masculinity in soccer locker rooms and creating a safe space.”

‘I'm here to create change’

Cavallo says football has enabled discussions inside dressing rooms about revealing one's orientation.

Yet, he is disapproving toward soccer's global governing body, after the Middle Eastern nation, where same-sex relationships are illegal, staged the global tournament in 2022.

Future World Cup is scheduled in another Gulf state, where same-sex attraction is also illegal.

“Am I impressed that the global championship is in nations that criminalise same-sex marriages, where individuals like myself will be imprisoned for merely living on their territory? It's scary,” states Cavallo.

“I get messages [from residents of such nations] saying ‘I'm about to be put in prison for my identity - can you help me?’.

“It's devastating that individuals are incarcerated for their true selves.

“Certain nations that are huge in terms of football and they don't accept the queer community. Those are the countries that often focus on me.”

Nevertheless, Cavallo says he will not stop speaking up.

“Football has allowed me to start conversations in the locker room. It lets me communicate and educate people who want to learn more.

“Not everyone is going to like you for your identity. But I have found my family. I have found my community.

“My purpose is to create change. That's my objective.”