Identifying as LGBTQ+ in Men's Football: A Toxic Environment

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

After announcing his homosexuality in 2021, footballer Josh Cavallo has faced constant threats and abusive messages on online platforms.

“When I first saw these messages, it broke my heart,” the player explains. “No-one wants to read things like that.

“I'm trying to get better as a player and reach my full potential during matches, and then face criticism because of who I am. It's appalling.”

Player the sportsman was playing for Adelaide United four years ago when he emerged as the sole publicly out top-flight male professional footballer in the world.

Recently he departed from Australia to sign with lower-tier club Peterborough Sports, who compete before audiences of about 400 in National League North, the sixth tier of English football.

This young athlete combines playing for the Cambridgeshire part-timers by advocating for inclusion matters and using his profile - boasting over a million followers on social media - to promote fairness and inclusion.

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

“Rarely a week passes without encountering problems.”

‘People want to harm me’

Several years passed for Cavallo to build up the bravery to say “I am homosexual” before revealing his sexuality on October 27th, 2021.

“All I want to do is compete in soccer and be treated equally,” he stated in an accompanying video.

Cavallo was 21 and building his reputation at his Australian club in Australia's top flight 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. “It felt like the right time in my life. I wanted to take the next step.”

The heartfelt revelation clip, titled ‘His Personal Story’, gained massive attention on digital platforms.

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

Liverpool were among numerous famous teams around the world to express support for the player, with the coach at the time Jurgen Klopp saying: “I appreciate that he took this step because now we talk again.”

Barcelona defender Gerard Pique also offered support, posting online that “the world of football is lagging behind and your actions drive progress”, while Adelaide United released a comment supporting their “extraordinary” and “brave” player.

Others, however, were less welcoming.

Cavallo soon turned into a subject to anti-gay remarks by rival supporters.

During early 2022 a competing team were penalized five thousand dollars over anti-gay abuse from spectators aimed toward the player during a match.

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

“I didn't react because responding would encourage detractors.”

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

“That was a scary moment,” he recalls. “The thought crossed my mind ‘this is real - people want to harm me’.

“Should this be tolerated? Definitely not. But by coming out, 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 endured.”

The player says the constant menacing messages and hostile communications have affected his mental health.

“It's disappointing because I must justify why I deserve a place on the football field for being who I am,” 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, optimistic person. But there are days 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 prompt 17-year-old attacking player Jake Daniels to announce he was gay as the UK's only openly gay playing soccer professional in spring 2022.

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

“It would move mountains,” says the footballer on the impact 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 come this person's way. In the world of football, identifying as LGBTQ is a highly hostile environment.”

Twenty-seven years after a pioneering player - Britain's first openly gay male footballer - died by suicide in 1998, Cavallo has discussed the “toxic masculinity” that persists in professional soccer.

“You just need to go to a game and see the hostile environment and male-dominated culture that the audience creates,” he says.

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

“Progress has been limited (additional athletes revealing their orientation) as frequently as desired.

“I can only keep pushing for principles I believe in, and work towards eliminating the harmful male norms in football changing rooms and establishing secure environments.”

‘I'm here to create change’

The player says soccer has enabled discussions within team environments about coming out.

Yet, he is critical of Fifa, after the Middle Eastern nation, where same-sex relationships are against the law, staged the global tournament in 2022.

Future World Cup is scheduled in Saudi Arabia, where homosexuality is also illegal.

“Am I impressed that the World Cup is in countries that ban gay unions, where people like me will be imprisoned for just existing on their territory? It's frightening,” states Cavallo.

“I receive communications [from people living in these countries] saying ‘I'm about to be put in prison for my identity - can you help me?’.

“It breaks my heart that people are getting locked up for being who they are.

“Certain nations that are significant soccer markets and they reject LGBTQ+ people. These places that often focus on me.”

Nevertheless, the footballer 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 seek understanding.

“Some will disapprove for your identity. But I have found my family. I have found my community.

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