🔗 Share this article Being Gay in Men's Football: A Toxic Environment “There's still so much to accomplish” - the athlete on homophobia in football “You don't belong on this earth” ... “Why are you here?” ... “Stop breathing.” Since revealing he was gay in 2021, player the athlete has faced constant threats and abusive messages on online platforms. “When I first saw these messages, it broke my heart,” the player explains. “Nobody should have to endure such words. “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.” Midfielder Cavallo was playing for Adelaide United back in 2020 when he emerged as the sole publicly out elite soccer player in the world. Recently he left Australia to join lower-tier club Peterborough Sports, who play in front of crowds of about 400 in the sixth division, 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 social media - to promote fairness and inclusion. “Absolutely, there's enormous work ahead,” the footballer comments when asked if football still has a problem with discrimination. “I don't go more than a week without encountering problems.” ‘People want to harm me’ Josh Cavallo grew up in Melbourne It took years for the athlete to work up the courage to say “I am homosexual” before coming out on October 27th, 2021. “All I want to do is compete in soccer and be treated equally,” he stated in an related clip. Cavallo was 21 and making a name for himself at Adelaide United in Australia's top flight when, with the support of his team-mates, he announced his orientation publicly. “The future was uncertain. I had no expectations,” he says. “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 messages of support. It was overwhelming.” Liverpool were one of many high-profile clubs around the world to express support for Cavallo, with then manager the German manager saying: “I'm really thankful that he took this step because now we talk again.” Barcelona defender the athlete also offered support, writing on social media that “soccer culture is lagging behind and you are helping us move forward”, while Adelaide United released a comment backing their “remarkable” and “courageous” player. Some people, however, were less welcoming. Cavallo quickly became a subject to homophobic abuse by rival supporters. During early 2022 a competing team were fined five thousand dollars over anti-gay abuse from fans directed at Cavallo during a game. “The things I'd hear were hurtful and derogatory towards LGBTQ people,” he explains. “I didn't react because I knew that would only feed the haters.” A scary event occurred at a gas station in Australia, where the athlete was physically attacked by someone who recognised him from the coverage. “That was a scary moment,” he recalls. “The thought crossed my mind ‘this is real - people want to harm me’. “Is it acceptable? Definitely 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 won't face the path I have endured.” The player says the constant menacing messages and abusive messages 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 being who I am,” he says. “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, optimistic person. But there are days when I rely on my partner, his name, and he gets to see a lot that happens behind the scenes.” ‘Top-tier athlete revealing orientation would create waves’ The player's choice to reveal his sexuality helped inspire 17-year-old attacking player another athlete to come out as the Britain's sole publicly out playing soccer professional in spring 2022. Nevertheless, there are no openly gay or bisexual players in the top English division. “It would create massive change,” says the footballer on the effect a elite athlete revealing their orientation would make. “But I must be honest. Numerous frightening aspects that would come this person's way. In the world of football, being an openly gay player is a highly hostile environment.” Over two decades after Justin Fashanu - the UK's initial out soccer professional - died by suicide in 1998, Cavallo has spoken about the “toxic masculinity” that persists in men's football. “Simply attend to a match and observe the hostile environment and masculinity that the crowd brings,” he explains. “Much remains to be done to ensure there is a secure environment in soccer for individuals like me and Jake. “Progress has been limited (additional athletes revealing their orientation) as frequently as desired. “I can only keep pushing for principles I believe in, and work towards 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 Flinders University 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 allowed him to have conversations inside dressing rooms about revealing one's orientation. Yet, he is disapproving toward Fifa, after the Middle Eastern nation, where homosexual partnerships are against the law, staged the global tournament in 2022. The 2034 tournament is scheduled in Saudi Arabia, where same-sex attraction is also illegal. “Am I impressed that the global championship is in nations that criminalise same-sex marriages, 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 my identity - can you help me?’. “It breaks my heart that individuals are incarcerated for being who they are. “Certain nations that are significant soccer markets and they reject LGBTQ+ people. These places that often focus on me.” Despite this, Cavallo says he will not stop speaking up. “Football has enabled dialogue in the locker room. It has allowed me to speak and educate people 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.”