🔗 Share this article Identifying as LGBTQ+ in Men's Football: An Unwelcoming Atmosphere “We've got mountains to do” - the athlete on homophobia in soccer “You don't belong on this earth” ... “What are you doing here?” ... “Don't take another breath.” Since revealing he was gay in 2021, player Josh Cavallo has faced constant threats and hateful comments on online platforms. “Upon reading those comments, I was devastated,” Cavallo states. “No-one wants to read things like that. “I'm working to improve my skills and reach my full potential during matches, and then get put down due to my identity. It's appalling.” Player the sportsman was playing for Adelaide United back in 2020 when he emerged as the sole publicly out elite soccer player in the world. This summer he departed from Australia to join non-league Peterborough Sports, who play in front of crowds of about 400 in National League North, one level below of the English soccer system. 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 Instagram - to champion equality and inclusion. “Definitely, we've got mountains to do,” Cavallo comments when asked if football still has a problem with discrimination. “Rarely a week passes without hearing about an issue.” ‘Individuals wish to hurt me’ The player was raised in Melbourne Several years passed for Cavallo to build up the bravery to say “I'm gay” before revealing his sexuality on 27 October 2021. “All I want to do is compete in soccer and be treated equally,” he said in an accompanying video. The player was twenty-one and making a name for himself at Adelaide United in Australia's top flight 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, titled ‘His Personal Story’, gained massive attention on digital platforms. “My mobile phone exploded with encouraging words. It was overwhelming.” A prominent club were one of many high-profile clubs around the world to show solidarity with Cavallo, with then manager the German manager saying: “I appreciate that he did it because it sparks conversation.” Spanish player Gerard Pique also offered support, writing on social media that “soccer culture is far behind and your actions drive progress”, while Adelaide United issued a statement supporting their “extraordinary” and “brave” player. Some people, however, were less welcoming. The footballer soon turned into a subject to anti-gay remarks by opposition fans. In January 2022 a competing team were fined five thousand dollars over anti-gay abuse from fans directed at Cavallo during a game. “The comments I encountered were painful and derogatory towards LGBTQ people,” he says. “I remained calm because I knew that would only feed the haters.” A scary event occurred at a gas station in Australia, where the athlete was assaulted by an individual who identified him from the coverage. “It was terrifying,” he remembers. “I remember thinking ‘this is happening - individuals intend to hurt me’. “Should this be tolerated? Absolutely not. But through my disclosure, these are the consequences. “I hope that future individuals who reveals their orientation while competing in soccer at a professional standard doesn't have to experience the path I have endured.” Cavallo 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 states. “We don't sit straight people down and ask ‘what gives you the right 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.” ‘Premier League player coming out would move mountains’ 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 active male professional footballer in spring 2022. Nevertheless, there are zero publicly LGBTQ athletes in the top English division. “It would create massive change,” comments the footballer on the impact a elite athlete coming out would have. “But I'm not going to sugar-coat it. Numerous frightening aspects that would come this person's way. In the world of football, identifying as LGBTQ is a highly hostile environment.” Twenty-seven years after a pioneering player - the UK's initial out soccer professional - died by suicide in 1998, Cavallo has discussed the “toxic masculinity” that persists in men's football. “Simply attend to a match and see the unfriendly atmosphere and male-dominated culture that the audience creates,” he explains. “Much remains to be done to make sure there is a secure environment in soccer for people like myself and his colleague. “Progress has been limited (additional athletes revealing their orientation) 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 football changing rooms and establishing secure environments.” ‘I'm here to create change’ The athlete was awarded an honorary degree from an academic institution in Adelaide in 2022, honoring his efforts as a inspirational figure in athletics and a advocate for fairness The player says soccer has allowed him to have conversations within team environments about coming out. However, he is disapproving toward Fifa, after the Middle Eastern nation, where same-sex relationships are against the law, staged the global tournament in 2022. The 2034 tournament is scheduled in another Gulf state, where homosexuality 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 frightening,” says the athlete. “I receive communications [from people living in these countries] saying ‘I face imprisonment for my identity - is assistance possible?’. “It breaks my heart that people are getting locked up for being who they are. “Certain nations that are huge in terms of football and they reject the queer community. These places that tend to target me.” Nevertheless, the footballer says he will not stop speaking up. “Football has enabled dialogue in the changing room. It lets me communicate and inform individuals who seek understanding. “Some will disapprove for your identity. But I've discovered support. I have found my community. “My mission is to drive progress. That's what I'm here for.”