Identifying as LGBTQ+ in Men's Football: A Toxic Environment
“We've got mountains to do” - the athlete on anti-gay prejudice in football
“You shouldn't exist” ... “Why are you here?” ... “Don't take another breath.”
Since revealing he was gay in 2021, footballer the athlete has faced constant threats and hateful comments on online platforms.
“When I first saw these messages, I was devastated,” the player explains. “No-one wants to read things like that.
“I'm working to improve my skills and be the best I can be during matches, and then face criticism due to my identity. It's disgusting.”
Midfielder Cavallo was playing for Adelaide United back in 2020 when he became the only openly gay elite soccer player in the world.
Recently he left Australia to join lower-tier club Peterborough Sports, who compete before audiences of about 400 in the sixth division, the sixth tier of the English soccer system.
The 25-year-old balances his sports career for the Cambridgeshire part-timers by advocating for inclusion matters and using his profile - he has more than one million followers on Instagram - to champion equality and inclusion.
“Definitely, there's enormous work ahead,” Cavallo says when questioned about ongoing issues with discrimination.
“I don't go more than a week without hearing about an issue.”
‘Individuals wish to hurt me’
The player was raised in Melbourne
Several years passed for Cavallo to build up the bravery to say “I am homosexual” before revealing his sexuality on 27 October 2021.
“All I want to do is play football and be treated equally,” he said in an accompanying video.
The player was 21 and building his reputation at his Australian club in Australia's top flight when, with the support of his team-mates, he announced his orientation publicly.
“The future was uncertain. I had no expectations,” he says. “The moment seemed appropriate in my life. I needed to move forward.”
The heartfelt revelation clip, titled ‘His Personal Story’, went viral on digital platforms.
“My mobile phone exploded with encouraging words. It was overwhelming.”
Liverpool were one of many high-profile clubs around the world to express support for Cavallo, with then manager the German manager saying: “I appreciate that he did it because it sparks conversation.”
Barcelona defender the athlete also expressed backing, posting online that “the world of football is lagging behind and your actions drive progress”, while Adelaide United issued a statement backing their “remarkable” and “courageous” player.
Others, however, were not so accepting.
The footballer soon turned into a target of homophobic abuse by rival supporters.
During early 2022 a competing team were fined A$5,000 over anti-gay abuse from fans aimed toward the player during a game.
“The comments I encountered were painful and derogatory towards LGBTQ people,” he explains.
“I didn't react because I knew that would only feed the haters.”
A scary event occurred at a petrol station in Australia, where the athlete was assaulted by an individual who identified him from the media attention.
“That was a scary moment,” he remembers. “I remember thinking ‘this is happening - individuals intend to hurt me’.
“Is it acceptable? Absolutely not. But through my disclosure, this is what it brings.
“I hope that the next person who reveals their orientation while competing in soccer at a high level doesn't have to experience the journey I have endured.”
Cavallo says the daily death threats and hostile communications have taken a toll on his psychological well-being.
“It's disappointing because I am having to explain why I belong on the soccer pitch for my identity,” he states.
“Heterosexual players aren't questioned and ask ‘why should you exist in football?’.
“Many individuals see me as a cheerful, positive person. But there are days when I rely on my partner, his name, and he gets to see much of what occurs behind the scenes.”
‘Premier League player coming out would move mountains’
Cavallo's decision to reveal his sexuality helped prompt 17-year-old attacking player another athlete to announce he was gay as the Britain's sole publicly out playing soccer professional in spring 2022.
Nevertheless, there are zero publicly LGBTQ athletes in the Premier League.
“It would create massive change,” says Cavallo on the impact a elite athlete coming out would make.
“But I'm not going to sugar-coat it. There are a lot of scary things that would await this individual. In the world of football, being an openly gay player is a highly hostile environment.”
Over two decades after a pioneering player - Britain's first openly gay male footballer - died by suicide in 1998, Cavallo has spoken about the “harmful male culture” that still exists 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 explains.
“There is still a lot of work to make sure there is a safe space in football for people like myself and his colleague.
“Progress has been limited (more players coming out) as frequently as desired.
“My role is to continue advocating for principles I believe in, and work towards eliminating the harmful male norms in soccer locker rooms and establishing secure environments.”
‘My mission is to drive progress’
The athlete was awarded an honorary degree from Flinders University in his former city in 2022, recognising his contributions as a inspirational figure in sport and a advocate for fairness
The player says soccer has allowed him to have conversations inside dressing rooms about coming out.
Yet, he is disapproving toward Fifa, after Qatar, where homosexual partnerships 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 countries that ban gay unions, where individuals like myself will be put in prison for merely living on their territory? It's frightening,” says the athlete.
“I receive communications [from people living in these countries] saying ‘I face imprisonment for being who I am - can you help me?’.
“It's devastating that people are getting locked up for their true selves.
“Certain nations that are huge in terms of football and they don't accept the queer community. Those are the countries that often focus on me.”
Despite this, the footballer says he won't cease advocating.
“Football has enabled dialogue in the changing room. It lets me communicate and inform individuals who want to learn more.
“Not everyone is going to like you for who you are. But I have found my family. I have found my community.
“My purpose is to drive progress. That's my objective.”
