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

“You don't belong on this earth” ... “Why are you here?” ... “Don't take another breath.”

After announcing he was gay in 2021, footballer the athlete has received daily death threats and abusive messages on social media.

“Upon reading those comments, I was devastated,” Cavallo states. “Nobody should have to endure such words.

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

Midfielder the sportsman was at Adelaide United back in 2020 when he became the only openly gay top-flight male professional footballer in the world.

This summer he left Australia to sign with non-league Peterborough Sports, who compete before audiences of about 400 in National League North, one level below of English football.

This young athlete combines playing for the Cambridgeshire part-timers by advocating for LGBTQ+ issues and leveraging his platform - he has more than one million followers on Instagram - to promote fairness and inclusion.

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

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

‘People want to harm me’

It took years for Cavallo to build up the bravery to say “I'm gay” before revealing his sexuality on 27 October 2021.

“My only desire is compete in soccer and be treated equally,” he said in an related clip.

Cavallo was 21 and building his reputation at his Australian club in Australia's top flight when, backed by his colleagues, 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.”

His emotional coming out video, entitled ‘His Personal Story’, gained massive attention on digital platforms.

“My mobile phone exploded with messages of support. It was overwhelming.”

A prominent club were among numerous famous teams around the world to show solidarity with Cavallo, with then manager Jurgen Klopp saying: “I appreciate that he took this step because now we talk again.”

Spanish player Gerard Pique also expressed backing, writing on social media that “soccer culture is far behind and you are helping us move forward”, while his former club issued a statement backing their “remarkable” and “courageous” player.

Others, however, were not so accepting.

Cavallo quickly became a subject to anti-gay remarks by opposition fans.

In January 2022 Melbourne Victory were fined five thousand dollars over discriminatory chants from spectators aimed toward Cavallo during a game.

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

“I remained calm because responding would encourage detractors.”

A scary event occurred at a petrol station in Australia, where the athlete was physically attacked by someone who recognised him from the coverage.

“It was terrifying,” he recalls. “The thought crossed my mind ‘this is real - people want to harm me’.

“Is it acceptable? Definitely not. But through my disclosure, this is what it brings.

“My wish is that future individuals who comes out while competing in soccer at a professional standard won't face the journey I have experienced.”

The player says the daily death threats and abusive messages have taken a toll on his psychological well-being.

“It's disappointing because I must justify why I belong on the soccer pitch for my identity,” he says.

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

“Many individuals see me as a smiling, optimistic person. But sometimes when I rely on my partner, Leighton, and he gets to see much of what occurs behind the scenes.”

‘Top-tier athlete revealing orientation would create waves’

The player's choice to disclose his orientation helped inspire 17-year-old attacking player Jake Daniels to announce he was gay 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 move mountains,” comments Cavallo on the effect a Premier League player revealing their orientation would have.

“But I'm not going to sugar-coat it. There are a lot of scary things that would await this individual. Within soccer culture, identifying as LGBTQ is a very toxic place.”

Over two decades after Justin Fashanu - Britain's first openly gay male footballer - died by suicide in 1998, Cavallo has spoken about the “toxic masculinity” that persists in professional soccer.

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

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

“We haven't seen it (additional athletes revealing their orientation) as much as we would like.

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

‘I'm here to create change’

The player says soccer has allowed him to have conversations within team environments about revealing one's orientation.

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

The 2034 tournament is scheduled in another Gulf state, where homosexuality is also illegal.

“Do I approve that the World Cup is in nations that criminalise same-sex marriages, where individuals like myself will be put in prison for just existing on their territory? It's frightening,” states 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 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 don't accept LGBTQ+ people. Those are the countries that often focus on me.”

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

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

“Some will disapprove for who you are. But I have found my family. I have found my community.

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