Being Gay in Professional Soccer: A Toxic Environment

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

After announcing his homosexuality in 2021, player the athlete has received daily death threats and hateful comments on social media.

“Upon reading those comments, it broke my heart,” the player explains. “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 due to my identity. It's appalling.”

Player Cavallo 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 sign with non-league Peterborough Sports, who compete before audiences of about 400 in National League North, one level below of English football.

The 25-year-old balances his sports career for the semi-professional team by advocating for LGBTQ+ issues and using his profile - he has more than one million followers on Instagram - to promote fairness and acceptance.

“Absolutely, we've got mountains to do,” Cavallo comments when questioned about ongoing issues with homophobia.

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

‘Individuals wish to hurt me’

Several years passed for the athlete to work up the courage to say “I am homosexual” before coming out on 27 October 2021.

“My only desire 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, 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 wanted to take the next step.”

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

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

Liverpool were one of many high-profile clubs around the world to express support for the player, with the coach at the time Jurgen Klopp saying: “I appreciate that he did it because it sparks conversation.”

Barcelona defender the athlete also offered support, writing on social media that “the world of football is far behind and your actions drive progress”, while his former club issued a statement backing their “extraordinary” and “brave” player.

Some people, however, were less welcoming.

The footballer quickly became a subject to homophobic abuse by rival supporters.

In January 2022 Melbourne Victory were penalized five thousand dollars over anti-gay abuse from spectators directed at the player during a game.

“The comments I encountered were painful and disparaging towards LGBTQ people,” he explains.

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

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

“It was terrifying,” he recalls. “I remember thinking ‘this is real - people want to harm me’.

“Should this be tolerated? Definitely not. But by coming out, this is what it brings.

“I hope that the next person who reveals their orientation while playing football at a high level doesn't have to experience the journey I have experienced.”

Cavallo says the daily death threats and abusive messages have affected his mental health.

“It's quite sad because I am having to explain 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, positive person. But sometimes when I lean on my fiance, Leighton, and he witnesses much of what occurs privately.”

‘Premier League player coming out would move mountains’

The player's choice to disclose his orientation helped inspire 17-year-old Blackpool forward another athlete to come out as the Britain's sole publicly out playing soccer professional in May 2022.

Nevertheless, there are no openly gay or bisexual players in the top English division.

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

“But I must be honest. Numerous frightening aspects that would await this individual. Within soccer culture, identifying as LGBTQ is a very toxic place.”

Over two decades after Justin Fashanu - the UK's initial out soccer professional - took his own life in 1998, Cavallo has discussed the “harmful male culture” that still exists in men's football.

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

“Much remains to be done to make sure there is a secure environment in soccer for individuals like me and Jake.

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

“I can only keep pushing for principles I believe in, and work towards taking out the harmful male norms in soccer locker rooms and creating a safe space.”

‘My mission is to drive progress’

Cavallo says soccer has enabled discussions within team environments about revealing one's orientation.

However, he is disapproving toward Fifa, after the Middle Eastern nation, where same-sex relationships are illegal, hosted the men's World Cup in 2022.

Future World Cup will be held in another Gulf state, where homosexuality is also illegal.

“Am I impressed that the global championship is in nations that ban gay unions, where individuals like myself will be imprisoned for merely living on that land? It's scary,” states Cavallo.

“I get messages [from people living in these countries] saying ‘I face imprisonment for being who I am - is assistance possible?’.

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

“Certain nations that are significant soccer markets and they don't accept the queer community. Those are the countries that tend to target me.”

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

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

“Some will disapprove for your identity. But I've discovered support. I have found my community.

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