“We've got mountains to do” - Cavallo on homophobia in soccer
“You shouldn't exist” ... “What are you doing here?” ... “Don't take another breath.”
After announcing 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,” Cavallo explains. “Nobody should have to endure such words.
“I'm trying to get better as a player and be the best I can be during matches, and then get put down due to my identity. It's disgusting.”
Midfielder the sportsman was at Adelaide United four years ago when he emerged as the sole publicly out top-flight male professional footballer in the world.
Recently he left Australia to join lower-tier club Peterborough Sports, who play in front of crowds of about 400 in National League North, one level below of English football.
The 25-year-old balances his sports career for the Cambridgeshire part-timers by advocating for LGBTQ+ issues and leveraging his platform - he has more than one million followers on social media - to promote fairness and acceptance.
“Absolutely, 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 hearing about an issue.”
‘Individuals wish to hurt me’
The player was raised in Melbourne
Several years passed for the athlete to work up the courage to say “I am homosexual” before coming out on October 27th, 2021.
“My only desire 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, with the support of his team-mates, he publicly came out.
“I didn't know what was ahead. I had no expectations,” he recalls. “It felt like the right time in my life. I needed to move forward.”
The heartfelt revelation clip, titled ‘His Personal Story’, gained massive attention on social media.
“My phone was flooded with encouraging words. It was overwhelming.”
A prominent club were among numerous famous teams around the world to express support for Cavallo, with then manager the German manager saying: “I appreciate that he took this step because it sparks conversation.”
Barcelona defender the athlete also offered support, posting online that “soccer culture is lagging behind and you are helping us move forward”, while Adelaide United released a comment backing their “remarkable” and “brave” player.
Others, however, were less welcoming.
The footballer quickly became a subject to anti-gay remarks by rival supporters.
During early 2022 Melbourne Victory were fined A$5,000 over anti-gay abuse from spectators directed at the player during a game.
“The things I'd hear were hurtful and disparaging towards LGBTQ people,” he explains.
“I didn't react because responding would encourage detractors.”
A scary event occurred at a gas station in Australia, where the athlete was assaulted by someone who recognised him from the media attention.
“That was a scary moment,” he recalls. “The thought crossed my mind ‘this is happening - individuals intend to hurt me’.
“Should this be tolerated? Absolutely not. But through my disclosure, this is what it brings.
“I hope that future individuals who reveals their orientation while playing football at a professional standard won't face the path 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 says.
“We don't sit straight people down and ask ‘why should you exist in football?’.
“Many individuals see me as a smiling, optimistic person. But there are days when I lean on my fiance, Leighton, and he witnesses much of what occurs behind the scenes.”
‘Top-tier athlete revealing orientation would create waves’
Cavallo's decision to reveal his sexuality helped inspire 17-year-old attacking player Jake Daniels to come out as the Britain's sole publicly out playing soccer professional in spring 2022.
Nevertheless, there are zero publicly LGBTQ athletes in the Premier League.
“It would move mountains,” comments the footballer on the impact a elite athlete revealing their orientation would make.
“But I must be honest. There are a lot of scary things that would come this person's way. Within soccer culture, identifying as LGBTQ is a highly hostile environment.”
Over two decades after Justin Fashanu - the UK's initial out soccer professional - took his own life in 1998, Cavallo has discussed the “toxic masculinity” that persists in men's football.
“Simply attend to a game and see the hostile environment and male-dominated culture that the crowd brings,” he explains.
“There is still a lot of work to ensure there is a secure environment in football for people like myself and his colleague.
“Progress has been limited (more players coming out) as much as we would like.
“My role is to continue advocating for principles I believe in, and work towards taking out the toxic masculinity in soccer locker rooms and establishing secure environments.”
‘I'm here to create change’
The athlete was awarded an honorary degree from Flinders University in his former city in 2022, recognising his contributions as a role model in athletics and a champion for equality
The player says football has allowed him to have conversations inside dressing rooms about revealing one's orientation.
However, he is critical of soccer's global governing body, after Qatar, where same-sex relationships 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.
“Do I approve that the World Cup is in countries that criminalise same-sex marriages, where people like me will be imprisoned for just existing on their territory? It's frightening,” says the athlete.
“I get messages [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 their true selves.
“There are countries that are significant soccer markets and they don't accept the queer community. Those are the countries that often focus on me.”
Nevertheless, Cavallo says he will not stop speaking up.
“Football has enabled dialogue in the changing room. It lets me communicate and inform individuals who want to learn more.
“Not everyone is going to like you for your identity. But I've discovered support. I've connected with similar people.
“My mission is to create change. That's my objective.”
