Being Gay in Professional Soccer: An Unwelcoming Atmosphere

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

After announcing his homosexuality in 2021, footballer the athlete has faced constant threats and hateful comments on online platforms.

“When I first saw these messages, 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 on the pitch, and then get put down due to my identity. It's appalling.”

Midfielder Cavallo was playing for Adelaide United four years ago when he emerged as the sole publicly out elite soccer player in the world.

This summer he left Australia to join lower-tier club Peterborough Sports, who play in front of crowds of about 400 in National League North, the sixth tier of the English soccer system.

The 25-year-old balances his sports career for the semi-professional team by advocating for LGBTQ+ issues and leveraging his platform - boasting over a million followers on social media - to promote fairness and inclusion.

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

“Rarely a week passes without hearing about an issue.”

‘Individuals wish to hurt me’

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

“All I want to do is play football and be treated equally,” he said in an related clip.

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

“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.”

His emotional coming out video, entitled ‘Josh's Truth’, went viral on social media.

“My mobile phone exploded with encouraging words. It was overwhelming.”

Liverpool were one of many high-profile clubs around the world to express support for Cavallo, with then manager the German manager saying: “I'm really thankful that he did it because it sparks conversation.”

Spanish player the athlete also expressed backing, writing on social media that “the world of football is far behind and you are helping us move forward”, while Adelaide United issued a statement supporting their “remarkable” and “brave” player.

Some people, however, were not so accepting.

The footballer quickly became a subject to homophobic abuse by opposition fans.

In January 2022 a competing team were fined A$5,000 over anti-gay abuse from spectators directed at Cavallo during a game.

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

“I remained calm because I knew that would only feed the haters.”

There was a frightening incident at a petrol station in Australia, where the athlete was physically attacked by an individual who identified him from the media attention.

“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, these are the consequences.

“My wish is that the next person who reveals their orientation while competing in soccer at a professional standard doesn't have to experience the journey I have endured.”

The player says the daily death threats and hostile communications have affected his mental health.

“It's disappointing because I must justify why I deserve a place on the football field for my identity,” he states.

“Heterosexual players aren't questioned and ask ‘what gives you the right in football?’.

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

‘Top-tier athlete revealing orientation would create waves’

Cavallo's decision to reveal his sexuality helped inspire teenage Blackpool forward Jake Daniels to announce he was gay as the Britain's sole publicly out active male professional footballer in spring 2022.

Nevertheless, there are zero publicly LGBTQ athletes in the Premier League.

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

“But I must be honest. There are a lot of scary things 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 - the UK's initial out soccer professional - died by suicide in 1998, the current athlete has discussed the “harmful male culture” that persists in professional soccer.

“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 soccer for people like myself and Jake.

“Progress has been limited (additional athletes revealing their orientation) as much as we would like.

“I can only keep pushing for principles I believe in, and work towards eliminating the harmful male norms in football changing rooms and establishing secure environments.”

‘My mission is to drive progress’

The player says football has enabled discussions within team environments about revealing one's orientation.

Yet, he is disapproving toward soccer's global governing body, after Qatar, where same-sex relationships are illegal, hosted the men's World Cup in 2022.

The 2034 tournament is scheduled in Saudi Arabia, where same-sex attraction is similarly prohibited.

“Do I approve that the World Cup is in countries that ban gay unions, where individuals like myself will be imprisoned for just existing on their territory? It's frightening,” says Cavallo.

“I receive communications [from people living in these countries] saying ‘I face imprisonment for my identity - is assistance possible?’.

“It's devastating that people are getting locked up for their true selves.

“There are countries 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, the footballer says he will not stop speaking up.

“Football has enabled dialogue 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 purpose is to create change. That's what I'm here for.”