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“You don't belong on this earth” ... “Why are you here?” ... “Stop breathing.”

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

“Upon reading those comments, it broke my heart,” Cavallo states. “No-one wants to read things like that.

“I'm working to improve my skills and reach my full potential during matches, and then get put down due to my identity. It's appalling.”

Player Cavallo was at Adelaide United back in 2020 when he emerged as the sole publicly out elite soccer player in the world.

This summer he left Australia to join lower-tier club Peterborough Sports, who compete before audiences of about 400 in National League North, the sixth tier of English football.

This young athlete balances his sports career for the Cambridgeshire part-timers by speaking up on LGBTQ+ issues and using his profile - boasting over a million followers on Instagram - to champion equality and inclusion.

“Definitely, we've got mountains to do,” Cavallo comments when questioned about ongoing issues with discrimination.

“Rarely a week passes without encountering problems.”

‘Individuals wish to hurt me’

It took years for Cavallo 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 receive fair treatment,” he stated in an related clip.

Cavallo was twenty-one and building his reputation 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 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, titled ‘His Personal Story’, went viral on social media.

“My mobile phone exploded with encouraging words. It was overwhelming.”

Liverpool were one of many high-profile clubs around the world to show solidarity with the player, with the coach at the time the German manager saying: “I'm really thankful that he took this step because it sparks conversation.”

Spanish player the athlete also offered support, writing on social media that “the world of football is far behind and you are helping us move forward”, while Adelaide United released a comment supporting their “remarkable” and “brave” player.

Some people, however, were not so accepting.

Cavallo quickly became a subject to homophobic abuse by opposition fans.

In January 2022 Melbourne Victory were penalized five thousand dollars over anti-gay abuse from spectators aimed toward Cavallo during a match.

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

“I didn't react because I knew that would only feed the haters.”

There was a frightening incident at a gas station in Australia, where the athlete was assaulted by an individual who identified him from the coverage.

“That was a scary moment,” he recalls. “I remember thinking ‘this is real - individuals intend to hurt me’.

“Is it acceptable? Definitely not. But through my disclosure, these are the consequences.

“My wish is that the next person who comes out while competing in soccer at a high level won't face the journey I have endured.”

Cavallo says the constant menacing messages and hostile communications have affected his psychological well-being.

“It's disappointing because I must justify why I belong on the football field for my identity,” he says.

“Heterosexual players aren't questioned and ask ‘why should you exist in football?’.

“A lot of people see me as a cheerful, optimistic person. But sometimes 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 active male professional footballer in May 2022.

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

“It would create massive change,” comments Cavallo on the effect a Premier League player coming out would make.

“But I'm not going to sugar-coat it. There are a lot of scary things that would come this person's way. In the world of football, identifying as LGBTQ is a very toxic place.”

Over two decades after Justin Fashanu - the UK's initial out soccer professional - died by suicide in 1998, the current athlete has discussed the “harmful male culture” that still exists in professional soccer.

“Simply attend to a game and observe the hostile environment and masculinity that the crowd brings,” he says.

“Much remains to be done to ensure there is a safe space in football 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 principles I believe in, and work towards eliminating the harmful male norms in soccer locker rooms and establishing secure environments.”

‘I'm here to create change’

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

Yet, he is disapproving toward Fifa, after the Middle Eastern nation, where same-sex relationships are against the law, hosted the men's World Cup in 2022.

The 2034 tournament is scheduled in another Gulf state, where same-sex attraction is also illegal.

“Am I impressed that the World Cup is in countries that ban gay unions, where people like me will be put in prison for merely living on that land? It's scary,” says Cavallo.

“I get messages [from people living in these countries] saying ‘I'm about to be put in prison for my identity - is assistance possible?’.

“It's devastating that people are getting locked up for their true selves.

“Certain nations that are huge in terms of football and they don't accept the queer community. These places that often focus on me.”

Nevertheless, Cavallo says he will not stop speaking up.

“Soccer has enabled dialogue in the changing room. It lets me communicate and inform individuals who want to learn more.

“Some will disapprove for who you are. 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.”