Actor told he is ‘too gay’ to play Jesus in Easter parade
Roman Fossati has been told he cannot play Jesus in an Easter parade in Valencia. Despite previously playing as Jesus for three decades, he has now been barred from playing him until 2019.
Foassati was told he was banned because he waved his hands in an “ostentatious” manner, pretended to bless the crowd and exposed a naked shoulder during the previous parade last year, the Belfast Telegraph reports.
Fossati denied the accusations, saying he only raised his hands to acknowledge people attending the parade.
Easter parades in Spain are strictly governed, excessive nudity is banned along with inappropriate religious gestures. Last year Fossati was fined €300 after the parade. He appealed and the amount was reduced to €60 but he was banned from the parade until 2016.
Speaking on the ban, Fossati said: “I was not given any reason for the ban. It could be jealousy. Or maybe it was punishment for being gay. But everyone where I live knows my sexual orientation and it is not an issue. I am deeply religious and this is the worst thing that could happen.”