Being Gay in Professional Soccer: A Toxic Environment
“There's still so much to accomplish” - the athlete on homophobia in football
“You don't belong on this earth” ... “What are you doing here?” ... “Stop breathing.”
Since revealing his homosexuality in 2021, player the athlete has faced constant threats and abusive messages on online platforms.
“Upon reading those comments, it broke my heart,” Cavallo states. “No-one wants to read things like that.
“I'm working to improve my skills and be the best I can be on the pitch, and then get put down due to my identity. It's appalling.”
Player the sportsman was at Adelaide United four years ago when he emerged as the sole publicly out top-flight male professional footballer in the world.
This summer he departed from Australia to sign with lower-tier club Peterborough Sports, who compete before audiences of about 400 in National League North, one level below of English football.
The 25-year-old combines playing for the Cambridgeshire part-timers by speaking up on LGBTQ+ issues and leveraging his platform - he has more than one million followers on social media - to promote fairness and inclusion.
“Absolutely, there's enormous work ahead,” Cavallo says when asked if football still has a problem with homophobia.
“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 work up the courage to say “I am homosexual” before revealing his sexuality on 27 October 2021.
“My only desire is play football and receive fair treatment,” he said in an accompanying video.
The player was 21 and building his reputation at his Australian club in the premier division when, with the support of his team-mates, he publicly came out.
“I didn't know what was ahead. I had no expectations,” he says. “The moment seemed appropriate in my life. I needed to move forward.”
The heartfelt revelation clip, entitled ‘His Personal Story’, went viral on digital platforms.
“My mobile phone exploded with messages of support. The response was incredible.”
Liverpool were one of many high-profile clubs around the world to express support for Cavallo, with the coach at the time the German manager saying: “I'm really thankful that he did it because it sparks conversation.”
Spanish player Gerard Pique also offered support, posting online that “soccer culture is lagging behind and you are helping us move forward”, while his former club issued a statement supporting their “extraordinary” and “brave” player.
Others, however, were not so accepting.
The footballer quickly became a target of anti-gay remarks by opposition fans.
During early 2022 a competing team were fined five thousand dollars over anti-gay abuse from fans directed at Cavallo during a game.
“The comments I encountered were hurtful and disparaging towards LGBTQ people,” he says.
“I remained calm 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 someone who recognised him from the coverage.
“It was terrifying,” he remembers. “I remember thinking ‘this is happening - individuals intend to hurt me’.
“Should this be tolerated? Definitely not. But by coming out, this is what it brings.
“I hope that the next person who comes out while competing in soccer at a high level 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 must justify 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?’.
“A lot of people see me as a cheerful, optimistic person. But there are days when I rely on my partner, Leighton, and he gets to see much of what occurs behind the scenes.”
‘Top-tier athlete revealing orientation would create waves’
The player's choice to reveal his sexuality helped prompt 17-year-old attacking player another athlete to come out as the Britain's sole publicly out playing soccer professional in spring 2022.
However, 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 have.
“But I must be honest. Numerous frightening aspects that would await this individual. In the world of football, being an openly gay player is a very toxic place.”
Over two decades after Justin Fashanu - the UK's initial out soccer professional - died by suicide in 1998, the current athlete has discussed the “harmful male culture” that persists in men's football.
“Simply attend to a match and observe the hostile environment and masculinity that the audience creates,” he explains.
“There is still a lot of work to make sure there is a secure environment 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 football changing rooms and establishing secure environments.”
‘I'm here to create change’
Cavallo received an honorary doctorate from Flinders University in Adelaide in 2022, recognising his contributions as a role model in sport and a advocate for fairness
The player says football has allowed him to have conversations within team environments about coming out.
Yet, he is critical of soccer's global governing body, after Qatar, where same-sex relationships are illegal, staged the global tournament in 2022.
The 2034 tournament is scheduled in Saudi Arabia, where same-sex attraction is similarly prohibited.
“Am I impressed that the World Cup is in countries that ban gay unions, where people like me will be imprisoned for merely living on their territory? It's frightening,” states 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's devastating that people are getting locked up for their true selves.
“There are countries that are significant soccer markets and they reject the queer community. Those are the countries that often focus on me.”
Nevertheless, Cavallo 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've discovered support. I've connected with similar people.
“My purpose is to drive progress. That's what I'm here for.”
