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

“You shouldn't exist” ... “What are you doing here?” ... “Stop breathing.”

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

“When I first saw these messages, I was devastated,” the player explains. “Nobody should have to endure such words.

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

Midfielder Cavallo was playing for Adelaide United four years ago when he became the only openly gay top-flight male professional footballer in the world.

Recently he departed from Australia to join non-league Peterborough Sports, who play in front of crowds of about 400 in National League North, the sixth tier of English football.

This young athlete balances his sports career for the semi-professional team by speaking up on inclusion matters and using his profile - boasting over a million followers on Instagram - to promote fairness and inclusion.

“Definitely, there's enormous work ahead,” Cavallo comments when questioned about ongoing issues 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 coming out on 27 October 2021.

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

Cavallo was 21 and building his reputation at his Australian club 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 had no expectations,” he says. “It felt like the right time in my life. I needed to move forward.”

The heartfelt revelation clip, entitled ‘His Personal Story’, gained massive attention on digital platforms.

“My mobile phone exploded with encouraging words. The response was incredible.”

Liverpool were among numerous famous teams around the world to express support for Cavallo, 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 expressed backing, posting online that “the world of football is far behind and you are helping us move forward”, while his former club released a comment supporting their “extraordinary” and “brave” player.

Others, however, were less welcoming.

The footballer soon turned into a subject to homophobic abuse by opposition fans.

In January 2022 Melbourne Victory were fined five thousand dollars over discriminatory chants from fans directed at Cavallo during a game.

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

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

There was a frightening incident 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? Absolutely not. But through my disclosure, these are the consequences.

“I hope that the next person who reveals their orientation while competing in soccer at a professional standard won't face the journey I have endured.”

The player says the constant menacing messages and abusive messages have taken a toll on his psychological well-being.

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

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

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

‘Premier League player coming out would move mountains’

Cavallo's decision to disclose his orientation helped prompt 17-year-old attacking player another athlete to come out as the UK's only openly gay playing soccer professional in spring 2022.

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

“It would move mountains,” comments Cavallo on the impact 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, being an openly gay player is a very toxic place.”

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

“You just need to go to a match and observe the hostile environment and male-dominated culture that the crowd brings,” he explains.

“Much remains to be done to make sure there is a safe space in football for individuals like me and Jake.

“Progress has been limited (more players coming out) as much as we would like.

“My role is to continue advocating for what I think is right, and work towards eliminating the toxic masculinity in soccer locker rooms and creating a safe space.”

‘My mission is to drive progress’

Cavallo says football has enabled discussions within team environments about coming out.

However, he is disapproving toward soccer's global governing body, after the Middle Eastern nation, where homosexual partnerships are illegal, staged the global tournament in 2022.

The 2034 tournament is scheduled in Saudi Arabia, where homosexuality is similarly prohibited.

“Do I approve 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,” states the athlete.

“I receive communications [from residents of such nations] saying ‘I'm about to be put in prison for being who I am - can you help me?’.

“It breaks my heart that people are getting locked up for being who they are.

“There are countries that are huge in terms of football and they reject the queer community. Those are the countries that often focus on me.”

Nevertheless, the footballer says he will not stop speaking up.

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

“Not everyone is going to like you for who you are. But I've discovered support. I have found my community.

“My purpose is to drive progress. That's what I'm here for.”