Identifying as LGBTQ+ in Men's Football: An Unwelcoming Atmosphere

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

After announcing he was gay in 2021, footballer the athlete has faced constant threats and abusive messages on social media.

“Upon reading those comments, I was devastated,” the player explains. “Nobody should have to endure such words.

“I'm working to improve my skills and be the best I can be during matches, and then face criticism due to my identity. It's appalling.”

Midfielder Cavallo was at Adelaide United back in 2020 when he emerged as the sole publicly out elite soccer player in the world.

Recently he left Australia to join lower-tier club Peterborough Sports, who play in front of crowds of about 400 in the sixth division, one level below of the English soccer system.

This young athlete combines playing for the semi-professional team by advocating for inclusion matters and leveraging his platform - boasting over a million followers on social media - to champion equality and acceptance.

“Definitely, we've got mountains to do,” the footballer says when questioned about ongoing issues with homophobia.

“I don't go more than a week without hearing about an issue.”

‘Individuals wish to hurt me’

Several years passed for the athlete to build up the bravery to say “I am homosexual” before revealing his sexuality on 27 October 2021.

“All I want to do is compete in soccer and be treated equally,” he stated in an related clip.

The player was 21 and building his reputation at Adelaide United in the premier division when, backed by his colleagues, 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 needed to move forward.”

The heartfelt revelation clip, entitled ‘Josh's Truth’, went viral on social media.

“My phone was flooded with messages of support. The response was incredible.”

A prominent club were among numerous famous teams around the world to show solidarity with Cavallo, with the coach at the time Jurgen Klopp saying: “I appreciate that he took this step because it sparks conversation.”

Barcelona defender Gerard Pique also offered support, writing on social media that “soccer culture is far behind and you are helping us move forward”, while his former club released a comment backing their “extraordinary” and “brave” player.

Some people, however, were not so accepting.

The footballer quickly became a target of anti-gay remarks by opposition fans.

During early 2022 a competing team were fined A$5,000 over discriminatory chants from spectators directed at Cavallo during a game.

“The comments I encountered were hurtful and derogatory towards my community,” he explains.

“I didn't react because responding would encourage detractors.”

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

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

“Is it acceptable? Definitely not. But by coming out, these are the consequences.

“I hope that future individuals who comes out while competing in soccer at a high level 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 quite sad because I am having to explain why I deserve a place on the soccer pitch for being who I am,” he says.

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

“A lot of people see me as a smiling, optimistic person. But there are days when I lean on my fiance, his name, and he gets to see much of what occurs privately.”

‘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 UK's only openly gay playing soccer professional in May 2022.

However, there are zero publicly LGBTQ athletes in the top English division.

“It would create massive change,” says the footballer on the impact a Premier League player coming out would make.

“But I'm not going to sugar-coat it. Numerous frightening aspects that would await this individual. In the world of football, being an openly gay player is a highly hostile environment.”

Over two decades after Justin Fashanu - Britain's first openly gay male footballer - took his own life in 1998, Cavallo has spoken about the “harmful male culture” that persists in men's football.

“You just need to go to a match and observe the unfriendly atmosphere and male-dominated culture that the crowd brings,” he says.

“There is still a lot of work to ensure there is a secure environment in soccer for individuals like me and his colleague.

“We haven't seen it (more players coming out) as much as we would like.

“I can only keep pushing for what I think is right, and strive for taking out the toxic masculinity in soccer locker rooms and creating a safe space.”

‘My mission is to drive progress’

Cavallo says soccer has enabled discussions inside dressing rooms about coming out.

However, he is critical of Fifa, after Qatar, where homosexual partnerships are illegal, staged the global tournament in 2022.

Future World Cup is scheduled in Saudi Arabia, where homosexuality is also illegal.

“Am I impressed that the World Cup is in countries that criminalise same-sex marriages, where individuals like myself will be imprisoned for merely living on that land? It's scary,” says Cavallo.

“I get messages [from people living in these countries] saying ‘I face imprisonment for my identity - can you help me?’.

“It breaks my heart that people are getting locked up for their true selves.

“There are countries that are significant soccer markets and they reject LGBTQ+ people. Those are the countries that often focus on me.”

Despite this, the footballer says he will not stop speaking up.

“Football has enabled dialogue in the changing room. It lets me communicate and educate people who seek understanding.

“Some will disapprove for who you are. But I've discovered support. I've connected with similar people.

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