Identifying as LGBTQ+ in Men's Football: An Unwelcoming Atmosphere
“There's still so much to accomplish” - Cavallo on homophobia in football
“You shouldn't exist” ... “Why are you here?” ... “Don't take another breath.”
After announcing he was gay in 2021, player the athlete has received daily death threats and hateful comments on online platforms.
“Upon reading those comments, I was devastated,” the player states. “Nobody should have to endure such words.
“I'm trying to get better as a player and be the best I can be on the pitch, and then face criticism because of who I am. 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 sign with lower-tier club 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 LGBTQ+ issues and leveraging his platform - boasting over a million followers on social media - to champion equality and inclusion.
“Definitely, we've got mountains to do,” Cavallo says when questioned about ongoing issues with discrimination.
“Rarely a week passes without hearing about an issue.”
‘Individuals wish to hurt 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 accompanying video.
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.
“The future was uncertain. I didn't know what to expect,” he says. “The moment seemed appropriate in my life. I needed to move forward.”
The heartfelt revelation clip, entitled ‘His Personal Story’, gained massive attention on digital platforms.
“My mobile phone exploded with messages of support. The response was incredible.”
A prominent club were one of many high-profile clubs around the world to express support for Cavallo, with then manager the German manager saying: “I'm really thankful that he did it because it sparks conversation.”
Spanish player Gerard Pique also expressed backing, writing on social media that “the world of football is lagging behind and you are helping us move forward”, while his former club released a comment supporting their “remarkable” and “brave” player.
Others, however, were not so accepting.
The footballer quickly became a target of anti-gay remarks by rival supporters.
In January 2022 Melbourne Victory were fined A$5,000 over discriminatory chants from fans directed at Cavallo during a game.
“The comments I encountered were hurtful and derogatory towards LGBTQ people,” he explains.
“I didn't react because responding would encourage detractors.”
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 recalls. “The thought crossed my mind ‘this is real - individuals intend to hurt me’.
“Should this be tolerated? Absolutely not. But through my disclosure, these are the consequences.
“My wish is that the next person who reveals their orientation while playing football at a professional standard doesn't have to experience the journey I have endured.”
Cavallo says the daily death threats and abusive messages have taken a toll on his mental health.
“It's disappointing because I must justify why I deserve a place on the football field for my identity,” he states.
“We don't sit straight people down and ask ‘what gives you the right in football?’.
“Many individuals 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 privately.”
‘Top-tier athlete revealing orientation would create waves’
The player's choice to disclose his orientation helped prompt teenage attacking player another athlete to announce he was gay as the Britain's sole publicly out playing soccer professional in May 2022.
However, there are zero publicly LGBTQ athletes in the Premier League.
“It would create massive change,” comments the footballer on the impact a elite athlete coming out would make.
“But I'm not going to sugar-coat it. Numerous frightening aspects that would await this individual. In the world of football, identifying as LGBTQ is a highly hostile environment.”
Over two decades after Justin Fashanu - Britain's first openly gay male footballer - died by suicide in 1998, Cavallo has spoken about the “toxic masculinity” that persists in men's football.
“Simply attend to a game and see the unfriendly atmosphere and masculinity that the audience creates,” he says.
“There is still a lot of work to ensure there is a safe space in soccer for individuals like me and his colleague.
“Progress has been limited (more players coming out) as much as we would like.
“I can only keep pushing for what I think is right, and strive for taking out the toxic masculinity in soccer locker rooms and creating a safe space.”
‘I'm here to create change’
Cavallo received an honorary doctorate from Flinders University in his former city in 2022, honoring his efforts as a inspirational figure in sport and a champion for equality
Cavallo says soccer has allowed him to have conversations inside dressing rooms about revealing one's orientation.
However, he is disapproving toward soccer's global governing body, after Qatar, where same-sex relationships are illegal, staged the global tournament in 2022.
Future World Cup will be held in another Gulf state, where same-sex attraction is also illegal.
“Am I impressed that the World Cup is in countries that criminalise same-sex marriages, where people like me will be put in prison for just existing on their territory? It's scary,” 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 individuals are incarcerated for being who they are.
“Certain nations that are significant soccer markets and they reject LGBTQ+ people. These places that tend to target me.”
Despite this, Cavallo says he won't cease advocating.
“Soccer has enabled dialogue in the locker 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've discovered support. I've connected with similar people.
“My mission is to drive progress. That's what I'm here for.”
