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

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

After announcing his homosexuality in 2021, player the athlete has faced constant threats and hateful comments on online platforms.

“Upon reading those comments, it broke my heart,” the player states. “Nobody should have to endure such words.

“I'm working to improve my skills and reach my full potential during matches, and then get put down due to my identity. It's disgusting.”

Player Cavallo was playing for 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 join lower-tier club Peterborough Sports, who compete before audiences of about 400 in the sixth division, one level below of the English soccer system.

The 25-year-old combines playing for the semi-professional team by advocating for inclusion matters and using his profile - he has more than one million followers on Instagram - to champion equality and inclusion.

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

“I don't go more than a week without hearing about an issue.”

‘People want to harm me’

It took years for the athlete to build up the bravery to say “I am homosexual” before coming out on 27 October 2021.

“My only desire is compete in soccer and be treated equally,” he said 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 publicly came out.

“The future was uncertain. I had no expectations,” he recalls. “It felt like the right time in my life. I needed to move forward.”

The heartfelt revelation clip, titled ‘Josh's Truth’, went viral on social media.

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

A prominent club were one of many high-profile clubs around the world to express support for the player, with then manager the German manager saying: “I appreciate that he did it because now we talk again.”

Spanish player Gerard Pique also expressed backing, posting online that “the world of football is far behind and your actions drive progress”, while his former club released a comment supporting their “remarkable” and “courageous” player.

Some people, however, were less welcoming.

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

During early 2022 a competing team were penalized A$5,000 over anti-gay abuse from spectators aimed toward the player during a game.

“The comments I encountered were hurtful and derogatory towards my community,” he says.

“I remained calm because responding would encourage detractors.”

There was a frightening incident at a gas station in Australia, where the athlete was physically attacked by someone who recognised him from the media attention.

“It was terrifying,” he remembers. “The thought crossed my mind ‘this is real - individuals intend to hurt me’.

“Should this be tolerated? Definitely not. But by coming out, these are the consequences.

“My wish is that the next person who comes out while competing in soccer at a professional standard won't face the path I have endured.”

Cavallo says the constant menacing messages and abusive messages have affected his psychological well-being.

“It's quite sad because I am having to explain why I belong on the football field for being who I am,” he states.

“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 sometimes when I rely on my partner, Leighton, and he gets to see a lot that happens privately.”

‘Top-tier athlete revealing orientation would create waves’

Cavallo's decision to disclose his orientation helped prompt 17-year-old attacking player Jake Daniels to announce he was gay as the Britain's sole publicly out active male professional footballer in May 2022.

Nevertheless, there are zero publicly LGBTQ athletes in the Premier League.

“It would move mountains,” comments Cavallo on the impact a Premier League player coming out would have.

“But I'm not going to sugar-coat it. Numerous frightening aspects that would come this person's way. Within soccer culture, being an openly gay player is a very toxic place.”

Over two decades after a pioneering player - Britain's first openly gay male footballer - died by suicide in 1998, the current athlete has discussed the “toxic masculinity” that still exists in professional soccer.

“You just need to go to a match and observe the hostile environment and masculinity that the audience creates,” he says.

“There is still a lot of work to make sure there is a secure environment in football for people like myself and Jake.

“Progress has been limited (more players coming out) as much as we would like.

“I can only keep pushing for principles I believe in, and strive for eliminating the harmful male norms in soccer locker rooms and establishing secure environments.”

‘I'm here to create change’

Cavallo says soccer has allowed him to have conversations within team environments about coming out.

Yet, he is disapproving toward soccer's global governing body, after Qatar, where same-sex relationships are illegal, staged the global tournament in 2022.

Future World Cup will be held in Saudi Arabia, where homosexuality is also illegal.

“Do I approve that the World Cup is in nations that criminalise same-sex marriages, where people like me will be imprisoned for just existing on that land? It's scary,” says Cavallo.

“I get messages [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 individuals are incarcerated 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 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 lets me communicate and educate people who seek understanding.

“Some will disapprove for who you are. But I have found my family. I've connected with similar people.

“My purpose is to create change. That's my objective.”