Homophobic oppression in Bermuda has been highlighted by a British gay rights organisation.

The Lesbian and Gay Foundation (LGF) features a personal account of Bermudian hostility towards homosexuals on its website, saying "times need to change".

The charity also invites people to make their views known to the 'Commonwealth Conversation', a forum on a variety of issues ahead of next month's Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.

"You can get involved with the Commonwealth Conversation and have the chance to inform the world's leaders," the LGF says.

The LGF is directing readers to the website: www.thecommonwealthconversation.org/category/human-rights/

The Royal Commonwealth Society is to use feedback from Commonwealth citizens to make a set of recommendations to leaders at the November conference.

The LGF website, to illustrate the human rights issue, currently features its own case study, focusing on Bermuda. Former guest worker Neil J. Carr describes his experiences of living in a "suffocating" society between 2003-5.

Mr. Carr says: "I landed in Bermuda in August 2003 as an 'expat' teacher from the UK. We were labelled expatriates by the locals, despite Bermuda being a UK overseas territory, who classified all people not born in Bermuda as foreigners.

"I was an 'out' gay man in my own country (UK) but a gut instinct told me that I'd better be careful in this beautiful tropical island paradise. I am very self aware and I trust my intuition, which turned out to be correct.

"During the two years that I stayed in Bermuda I have never felt as oppressed as a gay man as I did there. I've lived in England (Widnes born), Botswana (seven years), Zimbabwe (five years) and Australia (six months).

"'Aware' gay people know of sexuality oppression, the language of sexuality oppression and the culture of sexuality oppression. The language of sexuality oppression in Bermuda was ingrained.

"I was asked whether: I was married, had been married or had any intention of getting married, on a daily basis, in my first few weeks in Bermuda.

"There was also open hostility to people who were suspected to be GLBT (gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender). I had a lesbian neighbour who was thrown out of her apartment when her landlord became aware of her sexuality. I later left my apartment before the same happened to me.

"I felt the whole Bermudian culture was suffocating me. I naively thought, on arriving, that the black population would be more tolerant. I couldn't have been more wrong.

"Bermuda is a beautiful island and I will go back to visit it but not to live there until it has changed its laws regarding GLBT issues.

"Unfortunately Bermuda is still living in the past and its government cannot bring itself to legislate for GLBT rights. As usual the politicians (of Bermuda), while agreeing behind closed doors that they need to drag Bermudians kicking and screaming into the 21st century, are frightened of legislating to protect the rights of GLBT people.

"The ruling Government all too often pays lip service to a very powerful conservative Christian community whom they fear may vote them out. Thus GLBT people are, even now, being fired from jobs or thrown out of their rented apartments because of their sexuality. It is time it changed."

Homosexuality in Bermuda was only legalised in 1994, with the Stubbs Bill. The age of consent for males in a homosexual act is 18 and there is still no official recognition of same sex unions or marriage.

Discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation is also still legal despite recommendations by the Human Rights Commission that Government amend this.

In April this year, former Culture Minister Dale Butler announced he was to table an amended Human Rights Bill in the autumn. But since his resignation from Cabinet in June, Government has made no further announcement.

Culture Minister Neletha Butterfield was off-Island yesterday and unavailable for comment.

l What do you think should sexual orientation be included in the Human Rights Act? E-mail our newsdesk at: news@royalgazette.bm