Identifying as LGBTQ+ in Men's Football: An Unwelcoming Atmosphere
“There's still so much to accomplish” - the athlete on anti-gay prejudice in football
“You shouldn't exist” ... “Why are you here?” ... “Don't take another breath.”
After announcing he was gay in 2021, footballer the athlete has faced constant threats and hateful comments on social media.
“Upon reading those comments, it broke my heart,” the player 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 face criticism due to my identity. It's disgusting.”
Midfielder Cavallo was at Adelaide United four years ago when he emerged as the sole publicly out elite soccer player in the world.
This summer he left Australia to join non-league Peterborough Sports, who play in front of crowds of about 400 in National League North, the sixth tier of the English soccer system.
This young athlete balances his sports career for the semi-professional team by speaking up on LGBTQ+ issues and leveraging his platform - he has more than one million followers on Instagram - to champion equality and inclusion.
“Absolutely, there's enormous work ahead,” Cavallo comments when questioned about ongoing issues with discrimination.
“I don't go more than a week without encountering problems.”
‘People want to harm 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 October 27th, 2021.
“All I want to do is compete in soccer and receive fair treatment,” he stated in an related clip.
The player was 21 and building his reputation at Adelaide United in Australia's top flight when, with the support of his team-mates, he announced his orientation publicly.
“The future was uncertain. I didn't know what to expect,” he recalls. “The moment seemed appropriate in my life. I wanted to take the next step.”
His emotional coming out video, titled ‘His Personal Story’, gained massive attention on digital platforms.
“My phone was flooded with messages of support. It was overwhelming.”
Liverpool were among numerous famous teams around the world to show solidarity with the player, with the coach at the time Jurgen Klopp saying: “I appreciate that he did it because it sparks conversation.”
Spanish player Gerard Pique also expressed backing, writing on social media that “soccer culture is lagging behind and your actions drive progress”, while Adelaide United released a comment supporting their “extraordinary” and “courageous” player.
Others, however, were not so accepting.
Cavallo soon turned into a target of anti-gay remarks by rival supporters.
During early 2022 a competing team were penalized A$5,000 over discriminatory chants from fans directed at the player during a game.
“The comments I encountered were painful and derogatory towards LGBTQ people,” 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.
“That was a scary moment,” he remembers. “The thought crossed my mind ‘this is happening - 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 reveals their orientation while playing football at a high level doesn't have to experience the journey I have experienced.”
Cavallo says the constant menacing messages and hostile communications have affected his psychological well-being.
“It's quite sad because I am having to explain why I belong on the football field 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 smiling, positive person. But sometimes when I rely on my partner, Leighton, and he gets to see a lot that happens privately.”
‘Premier League player coming out would move mountains’
Cavallo's decision to disclose his orientation helped inspire 17-year-old attacking player another athlete to announce he was gay as the Britain's sole publicly out active male professional footballer in spring 2022.
Nevertheless, there are zero publicly LGBTQ athletes in the top English division.
“It would move mountains,” says the footballer on the effect 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 await this individual. Within soccer culture, being an openly gay player is a very toxic place.”
Twenty-seven years after Justin Fashanu - the UK's initial out soccer professional - took his own life in 1998, the current athlete has spoken about the “harmful male culture” that persists in men's football.
“You just need to go to a game and observe the unfriendly atmosphere and masculinity that the crowd brings,” he explains.
“Much remains to be done to make sure there is a safe space in soccer for individuals like me and Jake.
“Progress has been limited (additional athletes revealing their orientation) as much as we would like.
“My role is to continue advocating for principles I believe in, and strive for taking out the harmful male norms in football changing 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 champion for equality
Cavallo says football has enabled discussions inside dressing rooms about revealing one's orientation.
However, he is disapproving toward Fifa, after Qatar, where homosexual partnerships are illegal, hosted the men's World Cup in 2022.
The 2034 tournament will be held in Saudi Arabia, where homosexuality is similarly prohibited.
“Am I impressed that the World Cup is in countries that ban gay unions, where individuals like myself will be put in prison for just existing on that land? It's frightening,” states Cavallo.
“I get messages [from residents of such nations] saying ‘I face imprisonment for being who I am - can you help me?’.
“It's devastating that individuals are incarcerated for being who they are.
“There are countries that are significant soccer markets and they don't accept 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 changing room. It has allowed me to speak and inform individuals who seek understanding.
“Not everyone is going to like you for who you are. But I have found my family. I have found my community.
“My mission is to create change. That's what I'm here for.”
