Being Gay in Professional Soccer: An Unwelcoming Atmosphere
“We've got mountains to do” - the athlete on homophobia in soccer
“You shouldn't exist” ... “What are you doing here?” ... “Don't take another breath.”
Since revealing he was gay in 2021, player the athlete has faced constant threats and abusive messages on social media.
“When I first saw these messages, 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 on the pitch, and then get put down due to my identity. It's disgusting.”
Player the sportsman was at Adelaide United back in 2020 when he became the only openly gay elite soccer player in the world.
Recently he departed from Australia to sign with non-league Peterborough Sports, who compete before audiences of about 400 in the sixth division, one level below of the English soccer system.
This young athlete balances his sports career for the semi-professional team by speaking up on LGBTQ+ issues 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.
“Rarely a week passes without encountering problems.”
‘People want to harm me’
The player was raised in Melbourne
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 play football and be treated equally,” he said in an related clip.
Cavallo was twenty-one and making a name for himself at his Australian club in the premier division 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 recalls. “The moment seemed appropriate in my life. I wanted to take the next step.”
The heartfelt revelation clip, titled ‘His Personal Story’, went viral on social media.
“My mobile phone exploded with messages of support. It was overwhelming.”
Liverpool were one of many high-profile clubs around the world to show solidarity with Cavallo, with the coach at the time the German manager saying: “I appreciate that he took this step because now we talk again.”
Spanish player the athlete also offered support, posting online that “the world of football is lagging behind and you are helping us move forward”, while his former club released a comment backing their “remarkable” and “courageous” player.
Others, however, were less welcoming.
Cavallo quickly became a target of homophobic abuse by rival supporters.
During early 2022 a competing team were fined A$5,000 over anti-gay abuse from fans directed at the player during a match.
“The comments I encountered were painful and derogatory towards my community,” he says.
“I remained calm because I knew that would only feed the haters.”
A scary event occurred at a petrol station in Australia, where Cavallo was assaulted by an individual who identified him from the coverage.
“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, this is what it brings.
“My wish is that future individuals who comes out while competing in soccer at a high level doesn't have to experience the journey I have endured.”
The player says the daily death threats and hostile communications have taken a toll on 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 states.
“We don't sit straight people down and ask ‘why should you exist in football?’.
“Many individuals see me as a cheerful, optimistic person. But there are days 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 prompt teenage attacking player Jake Daniels to come out as the Britain's sole publicly out playing soccer professional in spring 2022.
However, there are no openly gay or bisexual players in the Premier League.
“It would create massive change,” comments the footballer on the impact a elite athlete revealing their orientation would have.
“But I must be honest. Numerous frightening aspects that would await this individual. Within soccer culture, 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 “harmful male culture” that persists in professional soccer.
“You just need to go to a match and observe the unfriendly atmosphere and masculinity that the crowd brings,” he explains.
“There is still a lot of work to ensure there is a secure environment in soccer for individuals like me and his colleague.
“We haven't seen it (more players coming out) as frequently as desired.
“My role is to continue advocating for what I think is right, and strive for eliminating the toxic masculinity in soccer locker rooms and creating a safe space.”
‘My mission is to drive progress’
Cavallo received an honorary doctorate from an academic institution in his former city in 2022, recognising his contributions as a inspirational figure in athletics and a champion for equality
The player says soccer has enabled discussions within team environments about revealing one's orientation.
Yet, he is disapproving toward Fifa, after the Middle Eastern nation, where homosexual partnerships are illegal, staged the global tournament in 2022.
The 2034 tournament is scheduled in Saudi Arabia, where same-sex attraction is similarly prohibited.
“Am I impressed that the global championship is in nations that criminalise same-sex marriages, where individuals like myself will be put in prison for just existing on that land? It's frightening,” states the athlete.
“I receive communications [from residents of such nations] saying ‘I face imprisonment 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 huge in terms of football and they reject LGBTQ+ people. Those are the countries that often focus on me.”
Nevertheless, the footballer says he won't cease advocating.
“Football has enabled dialogue in the changing room. It has allowed me to speak and educate people who want to learn more.
“Some will disapprove for who you are. But I have found my family. I have found my community.
“My mission is to create change. That's what I'm here for.”