Being Gay in Men's Football: A Toxic Environment
“There's still so much to accomplish” - Cavallo on homophobia in football
“You shouldn't exist” ... “What are you doing here?” ... “Stop breathing.”
After announcing his homosexuality in 2021, footballer the athlete has received daily death threats and abusive messages on social media.
“When I first saw these messages, it broke my heart,” the player explains. “No-one wants to read things like that.
“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 disgusting.”
Midfielder Cavallo was at Adelaide United four years ago when he became the only openly gay top-flight male professional footballer in the world.
Recently he left Australia to join non-league Peterborough Sports, who play in front of crowds of about 400 in the sixth division, the sixth tier of English football.
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 social media - to champion equality and inclusion.
“Absolutely, there's enormous work ahead,” Cavallo says when questioned about ongoing issues with homophobia.
“I don't go more than a week without encountering problems.”
‘People want to harm me’
The player was raised in Melbourne
It took years for Cavallo to build up the bravery 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 said in an related clip.
Cavallo was twenty-one and making a name for himself at his Australian club in the premier division when, backed by his colleagues, he announced his orientation publicly.
“The future was uncertain. I had no expectations,” he recalls. “It felt like the right time in my life. I wanted to take the next step.”
The heartfelt revelation clip, entitled ‘His Personal Story’, gained massive attention on digital platforms.
“My mobile phone exploded with encouraging words. The response was incredible.”
A prominent club were among numerous famous teams around the world to express support for Cavallo, with then manager Jurgen Klopp saying: “I appreciate that he took this step because now we talk again.”
Barcelona defender Gerard Pique also expressed backing, writing on social media that “the world of football is lagging behind and your actions drive progress”, while Adelaide United issued a statement backing their “extraordinary” and “courageous” player.
Others, however, were not so accepting.
Cavallo quickly became a subject to anti-gay remarks by opposition fans.
During early 2022 a competing team were fined A$5,000 over anti-gay abuse from spectators aimed toward the player during a match.
“The comments I encountered were painful and disparaging towards LGBTQ people,” he says.
“I remained calm because responding would encourage detractors.”
There was a frightening incident at a gas station in Australia, where the athlete was assaulted by someone who recognised him from the coverage.
“That was a scary moment,” he recalls. “I remember thinking ‘this is real - people want to harm me’.
“Is it acceptable? Definitely not. But through my disclosure, these are the consequences.
“I hope that the next person who reveals their orientation while competing in soccer at a high level won't face the path I have experienced.”
Cavallo says the daily death threats and abusive messages 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.
“We don't sit straight people down and ask ‘why should you exist in football?’.
“Many individuals see me as a cheerful, optimistic person. But sometimes when I rely on my partner, his name, and he witnesses a lot that happens behind the scenes.”
‘Top-tier athlete revealing orientation would create waves’
The player's choice to reveal his sexuality helped prompt teenage attacking player another athlete to announce he was gay 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,” comments the footballer on the impact a Premier League player coming out would make.
“But I must be honest. There are a lot of scary things that would await this individual. In the world of football, identifying as LGBTQ is a very toxic place.”
Over two decades after a pioneering player - the UK's initial out soccer professional - died by suicide in 1998, the current athlete has discussed the “harmful male culture” that still exists in men's football.
“You just need to go to a game and see the unfriendly atmosphere and masculinity that the audience creates,” he explains.
“Much remains to be done to make sure there is a secure environment in football for people like myself and Jake.
“We haven't seen it (additional athletes revealing their orientation) as frequently as desired.
“My role is to continue advocating for what I think is right, and strive for eliminating 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 Adelaide in 2022, recognising his contributions as a inspirational figure in athletics and a advocate for fairness
The player says football has enabled discussions inside dressing rooms about revealing one's orientation.
Yet, he is disapproving toward soccer's global governing body, after the Middle Eastern nation, where same-sex relationships are illegal, staged the global tournament in 2022.
Future World Cup will be held in another Gulf state, where homosexuality is similarly prohibited.
“Do I approve that the World Cup is in nations that ban gay unions, where people like me will be imprisoned 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 - is assistance possible?’.
“It breaks my heart that people are getting locked up for their true selves.
“Certain nations that are huge in terms of football and they reject LGBTQ+ people. Those are the countries that tend to target 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've discovered support. I have found my community.
“My mission is to create change. That's what I'm here for.”
