briefs off a beach after asking: "Are you gay?'' Two plainclothes officers allegedly told the Bermudian he was improperly dressed.

But yesterday gay rights protesters in Bermuda and America accused Police of harassment.

They said quizzing the man about his sexuality was irrelevant.

"We find this type of harassment to be extremely disturbing,'' said a spokesman for the Bermuda Human Rights Alliance (BHRA).

And the new gay rights group also slammed Government for allowing Police to enforce anti-gay laws.

The incident is said to have occurred on Tuesday at a South Shore beach.

Two officers questioned the man on his name, address, job, and sexual orientation, claimed the BHRA.

"This being quite evident as the officers asked him if he was gay. We find this type of harassment to be extremely disturbing.'' The group said the man was told to leave the beach for being improperly clad.

"He was also told not to return to the beach improperly dressed or he would be permanently banned. No arrest was made.'' The BHRA added: "We do not see how this person's sexuality is relevant to the supposed offence he was being questioned for.

"Neither do we see the relevance of questioning on his place of employment if no arrest was intended.

"The Bermuda Government has gone on record stating that they realise that there are discriminatory laws on the books, but they do not invoke them.

"We consider this a blatant lie when they permit Police officers to enforce them.'' The BHRA said Government had been reminded repeatedly of its obligations under the European Human Rights Act.

The group added its lawyers were now reviewing the beach incident.

"We believe that a possible offence by this individual due to his attire is totally irrelevant to his sexuality and we believe that the Police officers in question are clearly guilty of harassment.'' Yesterday the San Francisco-based International Gay & Lesbian Human Rights Commission stepped into the controversy.

Group spokesman Mr. Russ Gage said Government's claim it did not enforce ant-gay legislation was "ludicrous''.

"It's obvious that as long as the laws exist they will be arbitrarily enforced and used to justify harassment of gay and lesbian people.'' Police declined to comment specifically on the alleged incident.

They urged the man to call the Police, or write to the Commissioner Mr.

Lennett Edwards.

"He can be assured the matter will be investigated,'' said Police spokesman Sgt. John Dale.

Sgt. Dale said a special Police beach squad was formed for the start of College Weeks last month.

"Recently these Police officers have had to deal with a number of persons on the beaches either for indecent exposure or being indecently dressed. So far they have all been given a caution.'' Sgt. Dale continued: "However, now that the beaches are becoming more popular as the weather gets warmer we will be firming up our actions in this particular area.'' He added "far too many men'' were going indecently dressed to Chaplin Bay beach.