Identifying as LGBTQ+ in Men's Football: A Toxic Environment

“You don't belong on this earth” ... “What are you doing here?” ... “Stop breathing.”

Since revealing he was gay in 2021, player Josh Cavallo has faced constant threats and hateful comments 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 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.”

Player Cavallo 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 left Australia to sign with lower-tier club Peterborough Sports, who play in front of crowds of about 400 in the sixth division, one level below of the English soccer system.

This young athlete balances his sports career for the Cambridgeshire part-timers by speaking up on inclusion matters and using his profile - boasting over a million followers on Instagram - to promote fairness and acceptance.

“Definitely, we've got mountains to do,” the footballer comments when questioned about ongoing issues with discrimination.

“Rarely a week passes without encountering problems.”

‘Individuals wish to hurt me’

It took years for Cavallo to build up the bravery to say “I am homosexual” before coming out on October 27th, 2021.

“My only desire is compete in soccer and be treated equally,” he said in an accompanying video.

The player was twenty-one and building his reputation at Adelaide United in Australia's top flight when, with the support of his team-mates, he publicly came out.

“The future was uncertain. I didn't know what to expect,” he recalls. “The moment seemed appropriate in my life. I needed to move forward.”

His emotional coming out video, titled ‘His Personal Story’, went viral 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 Cavallo, with then manager Jurgen Klopp saying: “I appreciate that he took this step because it sparks conversation.”

Barcelona defender Gerard Pique also offered support, posting online that “the world of football is far behind and your actions drive progress”, while his former club issued a statement supporting their “remarkable” and “courageous” player.

Some people, however, were less welcoming.

Cavallo quickly became a subject to anti-gay remarks by rival supporters.

During early 2022 a competing team were penalized five thousand dollars over anti-gay abuse from fans aimed toward Cavallo during a match.

“The comments I encountered were hurtful and disparaging towards my community,” he explains.

“I didn't react because I knew that would only feed the haters.”

A scary event occurred at a petrol station in Australia, where Cavallo was assaulted by someone who recognised him from the media attention.

“It was terrifying,” he remembers. “The thought crossed my mind ‘this is happening - individuals intend to hurt me’.

“Should this be tolerated? Absolutely not. But by coming out, this is what it brings.

“My wish is that future individuals who comes out while playing football at a professional standard doesn't have to experience the journey I have endured.”

The player says the constant menacing messages and hostile communications have taken a toll on his psychological well-being.

“It's quite sad because I am having to explain why I deserve a place on the football field for my identity,” he says.

“Heterosexual players aren't questioned and ask ‘what gives you the right in football?’.

“A lot of people see me as a cheerful, positive person. But there are days when I lean on my fiance, Leighton, and he gets to see a lot that happens behind the scenes.”

‘Premier League player coming out would move mountains’

Cavallo's decision to reveal his sexuality helped inspire 17-year-old attacking player another athlete to announce he was gay as the UK's only openly gay playing soccer professional in May 2022.

However, there are no openly gay or bisexual players in the Premier League.

“It would move mountains,” comments Cavallo on the effect a Premier League player coming out would make.

“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 a pioneering player - Britain's first openly gay male footballer - took his own life in 1998, the current athlete has discussed the “toxic masculinity” that still exists in men's football.

“You just need to go to a match and observe the unfriendly atmosphere and masculinity that the crowd brings,” he says.

“There is still a lot of work to make sure there is a secure environment in football for people like myself and his colleague.

“We haven't seen it (more players coming out) as much as we would like.

“I can only keep pushing for principles I believe in, and work towards taking out the toxic masculinity in soccer locker rooms and creating a safe space.”

‘I'm here to create change’

Cavallo says football has allowed him to have conversations inside dressing rooms about coming out.

Yet, he is critical of Fifa, 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 also illegal.

“Am I impressed that the World Cup is in countries that criminalise same-sex marriages, where people like me will be imprisoned for just existing on that land? It's frightening,” states the athlete.

“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 being who they are.

“Certain nations that are huge in terms of football and they reject LGBTQ+ people. Those are the countries that often focus on me.”

Nevertheless, Cavallo says he will not stop speaking up.

“Football has enabled dialogue in the changing room. It lets me communicate and educate people 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 create change. That's what I'm here for.”