Being Gay in Professional Soccer: A Toxic Environment

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

Since revealing he was gay in 2021, footballer Josh Cavallo has received daily death threats and hateful comments on online platforms.

“Upon reading those comments, I was devastated,” the player explains. “No-one wants to read things like that.

“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.”

Player the sportsman was playing for Adelaide United four years ago when he became the only openly gay top-flight male professional footballer in the world.

This summer he departed from Australia to sign with lower-tier club Peterborough Sports, who compete before audiences of about 400 in National League North, the sixth tier 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 - he has more than one million followers on Instagram - to promote fairness and acceptance.

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

“I don't go more than a week without hearing about an issue.”

‘Individuals wish to hurt me’

Several years passed for Cavallo to work up the courage to say “I am homosexual” before revealing his sexuality on October 27th, 2021.

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

Cavallo was twenty-one and building his reputation 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 didn't know what to expect,” he recalls. “The moment seemed appropriate in my life. I needed to move forward.”

The heartfelt revelation clip, entitled ‘His Personal Story’, went viral 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 the player, with the coach at the time the German manager saying: “I appreciate that he took this step because now we talk again.”

Spanish player Gerard Pique also offered support, writing on social media that “the world of football is far behind and your actions drive progress”, while Adelaide United released a comment supporting their “remarkable” and “brave” player.

Others, however, were less welcoming.

The footballer quickly became a subject to homophobic abuse by opposition fans.

During early 2022 a competing team were penalized A$5,000 over discriminatory chants from spectators directed at the player during a match.

“The comments I encountered were hurtful and disparaging towards LGBTQ people,” he explains.

“I remained calm because responding would encourage detractors.”

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

“That was a scary moment,” he recalls. “The thought crossed my mind ‘this is happening - people want to harm me’.

“Should this be tolerated? Definitely not. But through my disclosure, this is what it brings.

“I hope that future individuals who reveals their orientation while playing football at a high level won't face the path I have endured.”

The player says the constant menacing messages and hostile communications have affected 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?’.

“Many individuals see me as a cheerful, positive person. But sometimes when I rely on my partner, his name, and he witnesses a lot that happens privately.”

‘Premier League player coming out would move mountains’

Cavallo's decision to disclose his orientation helped prompt teenage attacking player another athlete to come out as the Britain's sole publicly out active male professional footballer in spring 2022.

Nevertheless, there are no openly gay or bisexual players in the top English division.

“It would move mountains,” says Cavallo on the effect a Premier League player revealing their orientation would make.

“But I'm not going to sugar-coat it. Numerous frightening aspects that would come this person's way. Within soccer culture, identifying as LGBTQ is a highly hostile environment.”

Twenty-seven years after a pioneering player - Britain's first openly gay male footballer - died by suicide in 1998, Cavallo has discussed the “toxic masculinity” that still exists in professional soccer.

“You just need to go to a game and observe the unfriendly atmosphere and male-dominated culture that the crowd brings,” he says.

“Much remains to be done to make sure there is a safe space in football for individuals like me and his colleague.

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

“My role is to continue advocating for what I think is right, and strive for eliminating the toxic masculinity in football changing rooms and establishing secure environments.”

‘My mission is to drive progress’

Cavallo says soccer has enabled discussions inside dressing rooms about revealing one's orientation.

However, he is critical of soccer's global governing body, after the Middle Eastern nation, where homosexual partnerships are against the law, hosted the men's World Cup in 2022.

The 2034 tournament will be held in another Gulf state, where homosexuality is similarly prohibited.

“Do I approve that the global championship is in nations that ban gay unions, where people like me will be imprisoned for merely living on that land? It's scary,” says the athlete.

“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 people are getting locked up for their true selves.

“There are countries that are huge in terms of football and they don't accept LGBTQ+ people. These places that often focus on me.”

Nevertheless, the footballer says he will not stop speaking up.

“Soccer has allowed me to start conversations in the changing room. It has allowed me to speak and inform individuals who want to learn more.

“Some will disapprove 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.”