🔗 Share this article Identifying as LGBTQ+ in Professional Soccer: An Unwelcoming Atmosphere “We've got mountains to do” - the athlete on anti-gay prejudice in soccer “You don't belong on this earth” ... “Why are you here?” ... “Stop breathing.” Since revealing he was gay in 2021, footballer the athlete has faced constant threats and abusive messages on social media. “When I first saw these messages, it broke my heart,” Cavallo states. “Nobody should have to endure such words. “I'm trying to get better as a player and be the best I can be on the pitch, and then get put down due to my identity. It's disgusting.” Midfielder the sportsman was playing for Adelaide United four years ago when he emerged as the sole publicly out elite soccer player in the world. Recently he departed from Australia to join non-league Peterborough Sports, who play in front of crowds of about 400 in the sixth division, the sixth tier of English football. The 25-year-old balances his sports career for the semi-professional team by advocating for inclusion matters and using his profile - he has more than one million followers on social media - to champion equality and inclusion. “Definitely, we've got mountains to do,” the footballer says when asked if football still has a problem with homophobia. “I don't go more than a week without encountering problems.” ‘Individuals wish to hurt me’ The player was raised in Melbourne It took years for the athlete to build up the bravery 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 said in an related clip. Cavallo was twenty-one and making a name for himself at Adelaide United in Australia's top flight when, with the support of his team-mates, he publicly came out. “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.” His emotional coming out video, entitled ‘Josh's Truth’, gained massive attention on social media. “My phone was flooded with encouraging words. The response was incredible.” A prominent club were one of many high-profile clubs around the world to express support for Cavallo, with the coach at the time the German manager saying: “I appreciate that he did it because it sparks conversation.” Barcelona defender the athlete also expressed backing, writing on social media that “the world of football is far behind and your actions drive progress”, while his former club issued a statement supporting their “remarkable” and “courageous” player. Some people, however, were less welcoming. The footballer soon turned into a subject to homophobic abuse by opposition fans. In January 2022 a competing team were penalized five thousand dollars over discriminatory chants from fans directed at Cavallo during a game. “The things I'd hear were painful and derogatory towards my community,” he says. “I didn't react because I knew that would only feed the haters.” A scary event occurred at a petrol station in Australia, where the athlete was assaulted by someone who recognised him from the coverage. “It was terrifying,” he remembers. “I remember thinking ‘this is happening - people want to harm me’. “Is it acceptable? Absolutely not. But through my disclosure, this is what it brings. “My wish is that the next person 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 constant menacing messages and hostile communications have taken a toll on his psychological well-being. “It's disappointing because I am having to explain why I deserve a place on the soccer pitch 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 smiling, optimistic person. But there are days when I lean on my fiance, his name, and he witnesses a lot that happens behind the scenes.” ‘Top-tier athlete revealing orientation would create waves’ Cavallo's decision to disclose his orientation helped inspire 17-year-old attacking player another athlete to announce he was gay as the UK's only openly gay playing soccer professional in spring 2022. Nevertheless, there are zero publicly LGBTQ athletes in the Premier League. “It would move mountains,” says the footballer on the effect a Premier League player revealing their orientation would have. “But I must be honest. There are a lot of scary things 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 - took his own life in 1998, the current athlete has spoken about the “toxic masculinity” that still exists in professional soccer. “Simply attend to a game and see the unfriendly atmosphere and male-dominated culture that the crowd brings,” he explains. “Much remains to be done to make sure there is a secure environment in soccer for individuals like me and his colleague. “We haven't seen it (additional athletes revealing their orientation) as frequently as desired. “My role is to continue advocating for what I think is right, and strive for eliminating the harmful male norms in soccer locker rooms and creating a safe space.” ‘My mission is to drive progress’ The athlete was awarded an honorary degree from Flinders University in Adelaide in 2022, honoring his efforts as a role model in sport and a advocate for fairness The player says football has enabled discussions inside dressing rooms about coming out. Yet, he is disapproving toward Fifa, after Qatar, where homosexual partnerships are against the law, hosted the men's World Cup in 2022. Future World Cup is scheduled in Saudi Arabia, where same-sex attraction is also illegal. “Do I approve that the World Cup is in countries that criminalise same-sex marriages, where people like me will be put in prison for merely living on their territory? It's scary,” says the athlete. “I receive communications [from residents of such nations] saying ‘I'm about to be put in prison for my identity - can you help me?’. “It's devastating that people are getting locked up for being who they are. “There are countries that are huge in terms of football and they don't accept the queer community. Those are the countries that tend to target me.” Despite this, Cavallo says he will not stop speaking up. “Football has allowed me to start conversations in the changing room. It lets me communicate 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 my objective.”