Being Gay in Men's Football: A Toxic Environment

“You don't belong on this earth” ... “Why are you here?” ... “Don't take another breath.”

Since revealing his homosexuality in 2021, player Josh Cavallo has received daily death threats and hateful comments on online platforms.

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

“I'm working to improve my skills and be the best I can be on the pitch, and then face criticism due to my identity. It's disgusting.”

Midfielder the sportsman was at Adelaide United back in 2020 when he became the only openly gay top-flight male professional footballer in the world.

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

The 25-year-old balances his sports career for the semi-professional team by speaking up on LGBTQ+ issues and leveraging his platform - boasting over a million followers on social media - to champion equality and acceptance.

“Absolutely, we've got mountains to do,” Cavallo says when asked if football still has a problem with homophobia.

“Rarely a week passes without encountering problems.”

‘Individuals wish to hurt me’

Several years passed for Cavallo to work up the courage to say “I'm gay” before coming out on October 27th, 2021.

“My only desire is compete in soccer and receive fair treatment,” he stated 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.

“I didn't know what was ahead. I didn't know what to expect,” he says. “The moment seemed appropriate in my life. I wanted to take the next step.”

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

“My mobile phone exploded with messages of support. It was overwhelming.”

A prominent club were among numerous famous teams around the world to express support for Cavallo, with then manager Jurgen Klopp saying: “I appreciate that he did it because it sparks conversation.”

Spanish player Gerard Pique also expressed backing, posting online that “the world of football is lagging behind and your actions drive progress”, while Adelaide United issued a statement backing their “extraordinary” and “brave” player.

Some people, however, were not so accepting.

The footballer soon turned into a subject to anti-gay remarks by opposition fans.

In January 2022 a competing team were penalized five thousand dollars over anti-gay abuse from fans aimed toward the player during a game.

“The things I'd hear were hurtful and derogatory towards my community,” he says.

“I remained calm because responding would encourage detractors.”

A scary event occurred at a petrol station in Australia, where Cavallo was physically attacked by an individual who identified him from the coverage.

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

“Should this be tolerated? Absolutely not. But by coming out, these are the consequences.

“I hope that the next person who comes out while playing football at a high level doesn't have to experience the journey I have endured.”

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

“It's quite sad because I must justify why I deserve a place on the football field for my identity,” he states.

“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 rely on my partner, Leighton, and he witnesses much of what occurs privately.”

‘Top-tier athlete revealing orientation would create waves’

Cavallo's decision to disclose his orientation helped prompt teenage attacking player another athlete to come out as the UK's only openly gay playing soccer professional in May 2022.

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

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

“But I must be honest. There are a lot of scary things that would await this individual. In the world of football, identifying as LGBTQ is a very toxic place.”

Over two decades after Justin Fashanu - Britain's first openly gay male footballer - took his own life in 1998, Cavallo has discussed the “harmful male culture” that still exists in professional soccer.

“You just need to go to a game and see the hostile environment and male-dominated culture that the audience creates,” he says.

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

“Progress has been limited (additional athletes revealing their orientation) as frequently as desired.

“I can only keep pushing for what I think is right, and work towards taking out the harmful male norms in football changing rooms and creating a safe space.”

‘I'm here to create change’

Cavallo says football has enabled discussions inside dressing rooms about coming out.

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

The 2034 tournament will be held in another Gulf state, where same-sex attraction is similarly prohibited.

“Am I impressed that the World Cup is in nations that criminalise same-sex marriages, where individuals like myself will be imprisoned for merely living on that land? It's scary,” says 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 people are getting locked up for being who they are.

“Certain nations that are significant soccer markets and they reject LGBTQ+ people. Those are the countries that tend to target me.”

Despite this, the footballer says he won't cease advocating.

“Football has enabled dialogue in the changing room. It lets me communicate and educate people who want to learn more.

“Some will disapprove for your identity. But I've discovered support. I've connected with similar people.

“My purpose is to drive progress. That's my objective.”