Identifying as LGBTQ+ in Professional Soccer: A Toxic Environment
“There's still so much to accomplish” - Cavallo on homophobia in football
“You don't belong on this earth” ... “What are you doing here?” ... “Stop breathing.”
Since revealing his homosexuality in 2021, footballer the athlete has received daily death threats and abusive messages on social media.
“Upon reading those comments, I was devastated,” the player states. “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 disgusting.”
Midfielder the sportsman was at Adelaide United four years ago when he became the only openly gay elite soccer player in the world.
This summer he departed from Australia to sign with non-league Peterborough Sports, who compete before audiences of about 400 in National League North, the sixth tier of English football.
The 25-year-old combines playing for the semi-professional team by speaking up on LGBTQ+ issues and using his profile - boasting over a million followers on Instagram - to champion equality and acceptance.
“Absolutely, we've got mountains to do,” the footballer comments when questioned about ongoing issues with homophobia.
“I don't go more than a week without encountering problems.”
‘People want to harm me’
The player was raised in Melbourne
It took years for the athlete to work up the courage to say “I am homosexual” before coming out on October 27th, 2021.
“All I want to do is compete in soccer and receive fair treatment,” he said in an related clip.
The player was 21 and making a name for himself at Adelaide United in Australia's top flight when, with the support of his team-mates, he publicly came out.
“I didn't know what was ahead. I didn't know what to expect,” he recalls. “The moment seemed appropriate 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.”
A prominent club were among numerous famous teams around the world to show solidarity with the player, with the coach at the time the German manager saying: “I appreciate that he did it because it sparks conversation.”
Barcelona defender Gerard Pique also offered support, writing on social media that “the world of football is far behind and your actions drive progress”, while his former club released a comment backing their “extraordinary” and “courageous” player.
Some people, however, were less welcoming.
The footballer quickly became a subject to homophobic abuse by rival supporters.
During early 2022 Melbourne Victory were fined five thousand dollars over anti-gay abuse from fans directed at the player during a game.
“The comments I encountered were painful and derogatory towards my community,” he says.
“I remained calm because I knew that would only feed the haters.”
A scary event occurred at a petrol station in Australia, where Cavallo was physically attacked by an individual who identified him from the coverage.
“That was a scary moment,” he remembers. “I remember thinking ‘this is happening - people want to harm me’.
“Is it acceptable? Definitely not. But through my disclosure, these are the consequences.
“I hope that the next person who comes out while competing in soccer at a professional standard doesn't have to experience the path I have experienced.”
The player says the constant menacing messages and abusive messages have taken a toll on his psychological well-being.
“It's disappointing because I am having to explain why I deserve a place on the football field for my identity,” he states.
“Heterosexual players aren't questioned and ask ‘why should you exist in football?’.
“A lot of people see me as a smiling, optimistic person. But sometimes when I rely on my partner, his name, and he witnesses much of what occurs behind the scenes.”
‘Top-tier athlete revealing orientation would create waves’
The player's choice to reveal his sexuality helped inspire 17-year-old attacking player Jake Daniels 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 Premier League.
“It would create massive change,” comments the footballer on the effect a elite athlete revealing their orientation would have.
“But I'm not going to sugar-coat it. Numerous frightening aspects that would await this individual. Within soccer culture, being an openly gay player is a very toxic place.”
Over two decades 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.
“You just need to go to a game and observe the unfriendly atmosphere and masculinity that the crowd brings,” he says.
“There is still a lot of work to ensure there is a safe space in football for people like myself and his colleague.
“We haven't seen it (more players coming out) as frequently as desired.
“I can only keep pushing for principles I believe in, and strive for eliminating the toxic masculinity in football changing rooms and creating a safe space.”
‘My mission is to drive progress’
Cavallo received an honorary doctorate from an academic institution in Adelaide in 2022, recognising his contributions as a inspirational figure in athletics and a champion for equality
Cavallo says football has enabled discussions within team environments about coming out.
However, he is critical of soccer's global governing body, after the Middle Eastern nation, where homosexual partnerships are against the law, 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 World Cup is in countries that ban gay unions, where individuals like myself will be put in prison for just existing on that land? It's frightening,” says Cavallo.
“I get messages [from people living in these countries] saying ‘I'm about to be put in prison for my identity - is assistance possible?’.
“It's devastating that individuals are incarcerated for being who they are.
“There are countries that are huge in terms of football and they don't accept the queer community. These places that tend to target me.”
Despite this, Cavallo says he won't cease advocating.
“Soccer has allowed me to start conversations in the changing room. It has allowed me to speak and inform individuals who want to learn more.
“Some will disapprove for your identity. But I've discovered support. I have found my community.
“My purpose is to drive progress. That's my objective.”
