Identifying as LGBTQ+ in Professional Soccer: A Toxic Environment
“We've got mountains to do” - Cavallo on anti-gay prejudice in soccer
“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.
“Upon reading those comments, it broke my heart,” Cavallo explains. “No-one wants to read things like that.
“I'm trying to get better as a player and be the best I can be on the pitch, and then get put down due to my identity. It's disgusting.”
Midfielder Cavallo was playing for 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, the sixth tier of English football.
The 25-year-old balances his sports career for the semi-professional team by advocating for inclusion matters and leveraging his platform - boasting over a million followers on Instagram - to promote fairness and inclusion.
“Definitely, there's enormous work ahead,” 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’
The player was raised in Melbourne
Several years passed for the athlete to build up the bravery to say “I am homosexual” before revealing his sexuality on 27 October 2021.
“My only desire is play football and be treated equally,” he said in an related clip.
The player was 21 and building his reputation at Adelaide United in the premier division when, with the support of his team-mates, he publicly came out.
“The future was uncertain. I didn't know what to expect,” he recalls. “The moment seemed appropriate in my life. I needed to move forward.”
His emotional coming out video, entitled ‘His Personal Story’, gained massive attention on digital platforms.
“My phone was flooded with encouraging words. It was overwhelming.”
A prominent club were one of many high-profile clubs around the world to express support for Cavallo, with then manager Jurgen Klopp saying: “I'm really thankful that he did it because now we talk again.”
Spanish player the athlete also expressed backing, writing on social media that “soccer culture is far behind and you are helping us move forward”, while Adelaide United released a comment backing their “remarkable” and “brave” player.
Some people, however, were less welcoming.
Cavallo quickly became a subject to homophobic abuse by opposition fans.
In January 2022 Melbourne Victory were fined five thousand dollars over discriminatory chants from fans aimed toward the player during a game.
“The comments I encountered were hurtful and disparaging towards my community,” he says.
“I remained calm because I knew that would only feed the haters.”
There was a frightening incident at a gas station in Australia, where Cavallo was assaulted by an individual who identified him from the media attention.
“It was terrifying,” he recalls. “The thought crossed my mind ‘this is real - individuals intend to hurt me’.
“Should this be tolerated? 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 high level won't face the journey I have experienced.”
Cavallo says the daily death threats and hostile communications have affected his mental health.
“It's disappointing because I must justify why I belong on the football field for my identity,” he says.
“We don't sit straight people down and ask ‘what gives you the right in football?’.
“Many individuals see me as a smiling, positive person. But there are days when I lean on my fiance, Leighton, and he gets to see a lot that happens privately.”
‘Premier League player coming out would move mountains’
Cavallo's decision to reveal his sexuality helped prompt 17-year-old Blackpool forward Jake Daniels to announce he was gay as the Britain's sole publicly out active male professional footballer in May 2022.
However, there are no openly gay or bisexual players in the top English division.
“It would create massive change,” comments the footballer on the impact a elite athlete revealing their orientation would make.
“But I'm not going to sugar-coat it. Numerous frightening aspects that would come this person's way. In the world of football, being an openly gay player is a highly hostile environment.”
Twenty-seven years after a pioneering player - the UK's initial out soccer professional - died by suicide in 1998, the current athlete has spoken about the “toxic masculinity” that still exists in men's football.
“Simply attend to a game and observe the hostile environment and male-dominated culture that the audience creates,” he explains.
“Much remains to be done to make sure there is a secure environment in football for people like myself and Jake.
“We haven't seen it (additional athletes revealing their orientation) as frequently as desired.
“I can only keep pushing for principles I believe in, and strive for eliminating the toxic masculinity in soccer locker rooms and creating a safe space.”
‘My mission is to drive progress’
Cavallo received an honorary doctorate from an academic institution in his former city in 2022, honoring his efforts as a role model in athletics and a advocate for fairness
The player says soccer has enabled discussions inside dressing rooms about revealing one's orientation.
However, he is critical of soccer's global governing body, after Qatar, 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 people like me will be put in prison for merely living on their territory? 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 - is assistance possible?’.
“It breaks my heart that people are getting locked up for their true selves.
“There are countries that are significant soccer markets and they don't accept the queer community. Those are the countries that often focus on me.”
Nevertheless, Cavallo says he won't cease advocating.
“Soccer 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've discovered support. I have found my community.
“My mission is to drive progress. That's my objective.”
