Being Gay in Men's Football: A Toxic Environment

“You shouldn't exist” ... “What are you doing here?” ... “Don't take another breath.”

After announcing he was gay in 2021, player the athlete has faced constant threats and hateful comments on social media.

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

“I'm trying to get better as a player and be the best I can be during matches, and then face criticism due to my identity. It's appalling.”

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

This summer he left Australia to sign with lower-tier club Peterborough Sports, who compete before audiences of about 400 in the sixth division, one level below of English football.

The 25-year-old combines playing for the semi-professional team by speaking up on LGBTQ+ issues and using his profile - he has more than one million followers on social media - to champion equality and acceptance.

“Absolutely, there's enormous work ahead,” the footballer says when questioned about ongoing issues with discrimination.

“Rarely a week passes without encountering problems.”

‘People want to harm me’

It took years for the athlete to build up the bravery to say “I am homosexual” before revealing his sexuality on October 27th, 2021.

“My only desire is play football and be treated equally,” he stated in an related clip.

The player was 21 and making a name for himself at his Australian club in the premier division when, backed by his colleagues, he announced his orientation publicly.

“I didn't know what was ahead. I didn't know what to expect,” he recalls. “It felt like the right time in my life. I needed to move forward.”

His emotional coming out video, entitled ‘Josh's Truth’, gained massive attention on social media.

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

A prominent club were among numerous famous teams around the world to express support for Cavallo, with then manager the German manager saying: “I'm really thankful that he did it because now we talk again.”

Barcelona defender the athlete also expressed backing, writing on social media that “the world of football is far behind and your actions drive progress”, while Adelaide United released a comment supporting their “extraordinary” and “courageous” player.

Others, 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 Cavallo during a match.

“The comments I encountered were painful and derogatory 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.

“That was a scary moment,” he remembers. “I remember thinking ‘this is real - individuals intend to hurt me’.

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

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

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

“It's quite sad because I am having to explain why I belong on the soccer pitch 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 cheerful, optimistic person. But there are days when I lean on my fiance, Leighton, and he gets to see a lot that happens behind the scenes.”

‘Top-tier athlete revealing orientation would create waves’

Cavallo's decision to reveal his sexuality helped prompt teenage Blackpool forward another athlete to come out as the Britain's sole publicly out playing soccer professional in spring 2022.

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

“It would move mountains,” says the footballer on the impact a Premier League player revealing their orientation would have.

“But I must be honest. There are a lot of scary things that would come this person's way. Within soccer culture, identifying as LGBTQ is a highly hostile environment.”

Over two decades after Justin Fashanu - the UK's initial out soccer professional - took his own life in 1998, the current athlete has spoken about the “harmful male culture” that persists in professional soccer.

“Simply attend to a game and observe the hostile environment and masculinity that the audience creates,” he explains.

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

“We haven't seen it (additional athletes revealing their orientation) as frequently as desired.

“My role is to continue advocating for what I think is right, and strive for eliminating the toxic masculinity in football changing rooms and creating a safe space.”

‘I'm here to create change’

The player says football has enabled discussions inside dressing rooms about revealing one's orientation.

However, he is critical of Fifa, after the Middle Eastern nation, where homosexual partnerships are against the law, hosted the men's World Cup in 2022.

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

“Am I impressed that the global championship is in countries that criminalise same-sex marriages, where people like me will be imprisoned for merely living on their territory? It's scary,” says the athlete.

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

“It's devastating that individuals are incarcerated for their true selves.

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

Despite this, Cavallo says he will not stop speaking up.

“Soccer has enabled dialogue in the locker room. It has allowed me to speak and educate people who want to learn more.

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

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