Outrage is growing among Christians in Northern Ireland and beyond after a man mockingly dressed as Jesus—complete with a crown of thorns—was seen dancing and giving high-fives at the Belfast Pride Parade on Saturday.

The image of the impersonator, flanked by a woman draped in a transgender flag and another wearing a rainbow halo and red wings, quickly went viral. Many Christians saw it not as satire, but as a blatant attack on their faith.

“I am so incredibly tired of this nonsense, and so sick of how normal attacks on Christianity are,” wrote author Adam James Pollock on social media, posting the image alongside his frustration. The photo reportedly originated from the Facebook page of Progressive Politics NI, which later deleted the post. The group describes itself as working toward “an inclusive and more forward-thinking Northern Ireland,” and has shared other politically charged content, including anti-Israel messages and Marxist symbolism.

The Traditional Unionist Voice (TUV), a small unionist political party in Northern Ireland, quickly condemned the act. Ann McClure, the party’s spokesperson on equality issues, called the scene “deeply offensive” and criticized what she sees as a double standard in how religious beliefs are treated.

“There was someone dressed as Jesus Christ—complete with a mock crown of thorns—dancing down the street and high-fiving people on the pavement,” McClure said. “This is extremely offensive to Christians and would not be tolerated if it were directed at other religions.”

She added, “Belfast Pride likes to portray itself as edgy and anti-establishment, but there would have been no question of Mohammed being mocked in such a fashion. Christianity, on the other hand, is regarded as a soft target.”

McClure also raised legal concerns over public sector involvement in the parade, citing Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998. The law requires public authorities to promote good relations among people of different religious beliefs. According to the Belfast Pride website, the City Council and the Public Health Agency were among the event’s sponsors.

“TUV will be challenging the public sector bodies that used taxpayers’ money to purchase a place in the parade,” McClure said, questioning whether their participation was compatible with the legal mandate and the need for an apolitical workplace. “Belfast Pride cannot wash its hands of this attack on Christianity. Marshals were present along the route, and yet this individual was permitted to proceed.”

Founded in 1991, the Belfast Pride Parade is promoted by organizers as both “a protest and a celebration” of LGBTQIA+ identity and rights. The group calls it “the biggest event of the year” for the Belfast community, especially since same-sex marriage became legal in Northern Ireland in 2020.

But for many Christians, this year’s parade crossed a line. The mockery of Christ’s suffering, they say, is not an act of liberation or celebration—it’s an insult to their deeply held beliefs.