Identifying as LGBTQ+ in Men's Football: An Unwelcoming Atmosphere

“You shouldn't exist” ... “Why are you here?” ... “Don't take another breath.”

After announcing he was gay in 2021, footballer Josh Cavallo has faced constant threats and hateful comments on social media.

“Upon reading those comments, I was devastated,” the player explains. “Nobody should have to endure such words.

“I'm trying to get better as a player and reach my full potential during matches, and then face criticism due to my identity. It's appalling.”

Midfielder the sportsman was playing for Adelaide United back in 2020 when he emerged as the sole publicly out elite soccer player in the world.

Recently he departed from Australia to sign with lower-tier club Peterborough Sports, who play in front of crowds of about 400 in National League North, the sixth tier of English football.

This young athlete combines playing for the semi-professional team by advocating for inclusion matters and using his profile - boasting over a million followers on social media - to champion equality and inclusion.

“Absolutely, there's enormous work ahead,” the footballer says when asked if football still has a problem with homophobia.

“Rarely a week passes without hearing about an issue.”

‘Individuals wish to hurt me’

Several years passed for the athlete to work up the courage to say “I'm gay” before revealing his sexuality on 27 October 2021.

“My only desire is compete in soccer and be treated equally,” he stated in an related clip.

The player was twenty-one and making a name for himself at his Australian club in the premier division when, with the support of his team-mates, he announced his orientation publicly.

“The future was uncertain. I had no expectations,” he says. “It felt like the right time in my life. I needed to move forward.”

His emotional coming out video, titled ‘His Personal Story’, went viral on social media.

“My phone was flooded with encouraging words. It was overwhelming.”

Liverpool were one of many high-profile clubs around the world to show solidarity with Cavallo, with then manager Jurgen Klopp saying: “I appreciate that he did it because now we talk again.”

Barcelona defender the athlete also expressed backing, writing on social media that “the world of football is far behind and you are helping us move forward”, while Adelaide United issued a statement supporting their “remarkable” and “brave” player.

Some people, however, were not so accepting.

Cavallo quickly became a target of anti-gay remarks by opposition fans.

In January 2022 Melbourne Victory were penalized five thousand dollars over anti-gay abuse from spectators directed at Cavallo during a game.

“The comments I encountered were painful and derogatory towards LGBTQ people,” he says.

“I didn't react because responding would encourage detractors.”

A scary event occurred at a gas station in Australia, where the athlete was assaulted by someone who recognised 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, these are the consequences.

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

The player says the constant menacing messages and hostile communications have affected his mental health.

“It's disappointing because I am having to explain why I belong on the football field for being who I am,” he says.

“We don't sit straight people down and ask ‘why should you exist in football?’.

“A lot of people see me as a smiling, positive person. But sometimes when I lean on my fiance, his name, and he gets to see much of what occurs behind the scenes.”

‘Top-tier athlete revealing orientation would create waves’

Cavallo's decision to disclose his orientation helped inspire teenage Blackpool forward Jake Daniels 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 top English division.

“It would create massive change,” comments Cavallo on the effect a Premier League player revealing their orientation would make.

“But I'm not going to sugar-coat it. There are a lot of scary things that would come this person's way. In the world of football, being an openly gay player 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 spoken about the “harmful male culture” that still exists in men's football.

“Simply attend to a match and observe the hostile environment and male-dominated culture that the audience creates,” he says.

“There is still a lot of work to ensure there is a safe space in football for people like myself and his colleague.

“We haven't seen it (additional athletes revealing their orientation) as frequently as desired.

“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.”

‘I'm here to create change’

The player says football has enabled discussions within team environments about coming out.

Yet, he is critical of Fifa, after the Middle Eastern nation, where same-sex relationships are against the law, hosted the men's World Cup in 2022.

The 2034 tournament is scheduled in another Gulf state, where same-sex attraction is also illegal.

“Am I impressed that the World Cup is in countries that ban gay unions, where individuals like myself will be imprisoned for merely living on that land? It's scary,” says Cavallo.

“I receive communications [from residents of such nations] saying ‘I'm about to be put in prison for being who I am - can you help me?’.

“It's devastating that individuals are incarcerated for their true selves.

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

“Some will disapprove for who you are. But I've discovered support. I've connected with similar people.

“My purpose is to create change. That's what I'm here for.”