Being Gay in Professional Soccer: An Unwelcoming Atmosphere

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

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

“Upon reading those comments, I was devastated,” Cavallo states. “No-one wants to read things like that.

“I'm trying to get better as a player and reach my full potential on the pitch, and then get put down due to my identity. It's disgusting.”

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

Recently he departed from Australia to join non-league Peterborough Sports, who compete before audiences of about 400 in National League North, the sixth tier of the English soccer system.

This young athlete combines playing for the Cambridgeshire part-timers by speaking up on inclusion matters and leveraging his platform - boasting over a million followers on social media - to promote fairness and acceptance.

“Absolutely, we've got mountains to do,” the footballer comments when asked if football still has a problem with discrimination.

“I don't go more than a week without encountering problems.”

‘Individuals wish to hurt me’

It took years for the athlete to work up the courage to say “I'm gay” before revealing his sexuality on 27 October 2021.

“My only desire is play football and receive fair treatment,” he stated in an accompanying video.

The player was 21 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.

“I didn't know what was ahead. I didn't know what to expect,” he says. “The moment seemed appropriate in my life. I wanted to take the next step.”

His emotional coming out video, entitled ‘Josh's Truth’, 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 express support for Cavallo, with then manager the German manager saying: “I appreciate that he took this step because now we talk again.”

Barcelona defender the athlete also expressed backing, posting online that “soccer culture is far behind and your actions drive progress”, while his former club released a comment supporting their “extraordinary” and “brave” player.

Some people, however, were not so accepting.

Cavallo soon turned into a target of homophobic abuse by rival supporters.

In January 2022 a competing team were penalized five thousand dollars over discriminatory chants from spectators directed at Cavallo during a game.

“The comments I encountered were hurtful and derogatory towards LGBTQ people,” he says.

“I remained calm because responding would encourage detractors.”

A scary event occurred at a petrol station in Australia, where Cavallo was physically attacked by an individual who identified him from the media attention.

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

“Is it acceptable? Absolutely not. But through my disclosure, these are the consequences.

“My wish is that future individuals who reveals their orientation while playing football at a high level won't face the journey I have experienced.”

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

“It's quite sad because I must justify why I belong on the soccer pitch for being who I am,” he says.

“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, his name, and he witnesses much of what occurs privately.”

‘Premier League player coming out would move mountains’

Cavallo's decision to reveal his sexuality helped inspire 17-year-old Blackpool forward another athlete to come out as the Britain's sole publicly out active male professional footballer in spring 2022.

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

“It would create massive change,” says the footballer on the impact a elite athlete coming out would make.

“But I must be honest. Numerous frightening aspects that would await this individual. In the world of football, identifying as LGBTQ is a very toxic place.”

Over two decades after Justin Fashanu - the UK's initial out soccer professional - died by suicide in 1998, the current athlete has spoken about the “harmful male culture” that still exists in professional soccer.

“Simply attend to a match and observe the unfriendly atmosphere and masculinity that the crowd brings,” he says.

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

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

“I can only keep pushing for principles I believe in, and work towards eliminating the toxic masculinity in soccer locker rooms and establishing secure environments.”

‘I'm here to create change’

The player says soccer has allowed him to have conversations inside dressing rooms about revealing one's orientation.

Yet, he is disapproving toward soccer's global governing body, after Qatar, 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.

“Do I approve that the global championship is in nations that ban gay unions, where individuals like myself will be imprisoned for merely living on their territory? It's frightening,” says Cavallo.

“I get messages [from residents of such nations] saying ‘I face imprisonment for my identity - is assistance possible?’.

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

“There are countries that are huge in terms of football and they reject LGBTQ+ people. Those are the countries that tend to target me.”

Despite this, Cavallo says he won't cease advocating.

“Football has allowed me to start conversations in the locker room. It has allowed me to speak and educate people who want to learn more.

“Some will disapprove for your identity. But I've discovered support. I've connected with similar people.

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