Identifying as LGBTQ+ in Men's Football: A Toxic Environment
“There's still so much to accomplish” - Cavallo on anti-gay prejudice in soccer
“You shouldn't exist” ... “Why are you here?” ... “Don't take another breath.”
After announcing his homosexuality in 2021, footballer the athlete has received daily death threats and hateful comments on social media.
“When I first saw these messages, I was devastated,” Cavallo explains. “Nobody should have to endure such words.
“I'm working to improve my skills and reach my full potential 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 became the only openly gay elite soccer player in the world.
Recently he left Australia to join non-league Peterborough Sports, who compete before audiences of about 400 in the sixth division, the sixth tier of English football.
The 25-year-old balances his sports career for the Cambridgeshire part-timers by speaking up on inclusion matters and leveraging his platform - he has more than one million followers on social media - to promote fairness and acceptance.
“Definitely, there's enormous work ahead,” Cavallo comments when questioned about ongoing issues 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
It took years for the athlete to work up the courage to say “I'm gay” before coming out 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 making a name for himself at Adelaide United in the premier division when, backed by his colleagues, he announced his orientation publicly.
“I didn't know what was ahead. I had no expectations,” he recalls. “The moment seemed appropriate in my life. I wanted to take the next step.”
The heartfelt revelation clip, entitled ‘His Personal Story’, went viral on social media.
“My mobile phone exploded with messages of support. It was overwhelming.”
A prominent club were among numerous famous teams 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 now we talk again.”
Barcelona defender Gerard Pique also offered support, writing on social media that “the world of football is lagging behind and you are helping us move forward”, while Adelaide United issued a statement backing their “remarkable” and “brave” player.
Others, however, were not so accepting.
Cavallo quickly became a subject to anti-gay remarks by rival supporters.
During early 2022 Melbourne Victory were penalized A$5,000 over discriminatory chants from spectators directed at the player during a match.
“The comments I encountered were painful and disparaging towards LGBTQ people,” he explains.
“I remained calm because I knew that would only feed the haters.”
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.
“That was a scary moment,” he remembers. “I remember thinking ‘this is real - individuals intend to hurt me’.
“Is it acceptable? Absolutely not. But through my disclosure, this is what it brings.
“My wish is that future individuals who reveals their orientation while playing football at a professional standard won't face the path I have endured.”
The player says the daily death threats and hostile communications have taken a toll on his psychological well-being.
“It's disappointing because I must justify why I belong on the soccer pitch for my identity,” he states.
“Heterosexual players aren't questioned and ask ‘what gives you the right in football?’.
“A lot of people see me as a smiling, optimistic person. But sometimes when I lean on my fiance, Leighton, and he gets to see much of what occurs behind the scenes.”
‘Premier League player coming out would move mountains’
Cavallo's decision to disclose his orientation helped prompt 17-year-old Blackpool forward another athlete to announce he was gay as the Britain's sole publicly out active male professional footballer in May 2022.
However, there are no openly gay or bisexual players in the Premier League.
“It would create massive change,” comments Cavallo on the effect a Premier League player revealing their orientation would have.
“But I must be honest. Numerous frightening aspects that would come this person's way. Within soccer culture, identifying as LGBTQ is a highly hostile environment.”
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.
“Simply attend to a match and see the hostile environment and masculinity that the crowd brings,” he explains.
“Much remains to be done to ensure there is a safe space in soccer for individuals like me and Jake.
“We haven't seen it (additional athletes revealing their orientation) as frequently as desired.
“I can only keep pushing for what I think is right, and work towards eliminating the harmful male norms in soccer locker rooms and creating a safe space.”
‘My mission is to drive progress’
The athlete was awarded an honorary degree from an academic institution in Adelaide in 2022, honoring his efforts as a inspirational figure in athletics and a champion for equality
Cavallo says soccer has enabled discussions inside dressing rooms about coming out.
Yet, he is disapproving toward soccer's global governing body, after the Middle Eastern nation, where homosexual partnerships are illegal, staged the global tournament in 2022.
The 2034 tournament will be held in Saudi Arabia, where same-sex attraction 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 merely living on that land? It's scary,” states Cavallo.
“I receive communications [from people living in these countries] saying ‘I face imprisonment for my identity - is assistance possible?’.
“It's devastating that individuals are incarcerated for their true selves.
“There are countries that are significant soccer markets and they don't accept LGBTQ+ people. Those are the countries that tend to target me.”
Despite this, Cavallo says he won't cease advocating.
“Soccer 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 your identity. But I have found my family. I've connected with similar people.
“My mission is to drive progress. That's my objective.”