Identifying as LGBTQ+ in Men's Football: A Toxic Environment

“You don't belong on this earth” ... “Why are you here?” ... “Don't take another breath.”

Since revealing he was gay in 2021, footballer the athlete has faced constant threats and hateful comments on social media.

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

“I'm trying to get better as a player and reach my full potential on the pitch, and then face criticism because of who I am. It's disgusting.”

Player Cavallo was at Adelaide United four years ago when he became the only openly gay elite soccer player in the world.

Recently he left Australia to sign with lower-tier club Peterborough Sports, who compete before audiences of about 400 in National League North, one level below of the English soccer system.

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, there's enormous work ahead,” Cavallo comments when asked if football still has a problem with homophobia.

“I don't go more than a week without encountering problems.”

‘People want to harm me’

It took years for the athlete to work up the courage to say “I am homosexual” before revealing his sexuality on 27 October 2021.

“My only desire is play football and receive fair treatment,” he said in an related clip.

Cavallo was twenty-one and building his reputation at Adelaide United in Australia's top flight when, with the support of his team-mates, he announced his orientation publicly.

“I didn't know what was ahead. I had no expectations,” he says. “It felt like the right time in my life. I wanted to take the next step.”

His emotional coming out video, entitled ‘His Personal Story’, gained massive attention on digital platforms.

“My phone was flooded with encouraging words. It was overwhelming.”

Liverpool were one of many high-profile clubs around the world to express support for the player, with then manager the German manager saying: “I appreciate that he did it because now we talk again.”

Barcelona defender Gerard Pique also offered support, writing on social media that “soccer culture is far behind and your actions drive progress”, while his former club released a comment backing their “remarkable” and “brave” player.

Others, however, were not so accepting.

Cavallo quickly became a subject to anti-gay remarks by rival supporters.

In January 2022 a competing team were fined five thousand dollars over anti-gay abuse from fans aimed toward the player during a match.

“The things I'd hear were painful and disparaging towards LGBTQ people,” he explains.

“I remained calm because responding would encourage detractors.”

A scary event occurred at a petrol station in Australia, where the athlete was physically attacked by an individual who identified him from the coverage.

“It was terrifying,” he recalls. “I remember thinking ‘this is real - people want to harm me’.

“Should this be tolerated? Absolutely not. But through my disclosure, this is what it brings.

“I hope that the next person who comes out while playing football at a professional standard won't face the path I have experienced.”

The player says the constant menacing messages and abusive messages have affected his mental health.

“It's disappointing because I must justify why I deserve a place on the soccer pitch for being who I am,” he states.

“We don't sit straight people down and ask ‘what gives you the right in football?’.

“A lot of people see me as a cheerful, optimistic person. But sometimes when I lean on my fiance, his name, and he gets to see a lot that happens behind the scenes.”

‘Top-tier athlete revealing orientation would create waves’

Cavallo's decision to disclose his orientation 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 zero publicly LGBTQ athletes in the Premier League.

“It would create massive change,” comments Cavallo on the effect a Premier League player coming out would have.

“But I must be honest. Numerous frightening aspects that would await this individual. In the world of football, identifying as LGBTQ is a very toxic place.”

Twenty-seven years after Justin Fashanu - Britain's first openly gay male footballer - took his own life in 1998, Cavallo has discussed the “toxic masculinity” that still exists in men's football.

“You just need to go to a game and observe the unfriendly atmosphere and masculinity that the crowd brings,” he says.

“Much remains to be done to make sure there is a secure environment in football for people like myself and Jake.

“We haven't seen it (more players coming out) as frequently as desired.

“My role is to continue advocating for what I think is right, and work towards eliminating the harmful male norms in football changing rooms and establishing secure environments.”

‘I'm here to create change’

The player 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 Saudi Arabia, where same-sex attraction is similarly prohibited.

“Do I approve that the global championship is in countries that criminalise same-sex marriages, where people like me will be imprisoned for just existing on that land? It's scary,” 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's devastating that people are getting locked up for being who they are.

“Certain nations that are significant soccer markets and they don't accept the queer community. These places that often focus on me.”

Nevertheless, the footballer says he won't cease advocating.

“Football has allowed me to start conversations in the changing room. It lets me communicate and inform individuals who want to learn more.

“Some will disapprove for who you are. But I've discovered support. I have found my community.

“My mission is to create change. That's what I'm here for.”