Former Culture Minister Dale Butler has relinquished responsibility for the equal rights amendment he had spearheaded since its controversial failure in 2006.

Mr. Butler, who resigned from Cabinet on June 20, told The Royal Gazette that his replacement Neletha Butterfield will now be tasked with tabling the Human Rights Act amendment in the Fall parliamentary term.

"Ms Butterfield will be responsible for the entire bill," he said yesterday. "I will not be interfering in any way with the decision of the Government."

The proposed amendment to the Human Rights Act 1981 would outlaw discrimination based on sexual orientation.

Mr. Butler has professed to support equal rights for gays and lesbians in Bermuda, but was famously in the bathroom during the unsuccessful vote on the subject three years ago, when former PLP MP Renee Webb tabled a private member's bill.

Ms Butterfield said that she had yet to be apprised of all the workings of her new Ministry, so could not confirm whether the amendment would still be tabled as planned.

"I would love to wave a magic wand and know everything all at once," she said.

Ms Butterfield directed The Royal Gazette to Wayne Carey, permanent secretary at the Ministry of Culture and Social Rehabilitation.

"There has been extensive consultation with numerous stakeholders over the last two years with respect to what changes, including a clause on sexual orientation, might be considered," Mr. Carey said.

"Former Minister Butler had considered several recommendations for changes to the Human Rights Act 1981, with a view towards the drafting of an amending bill to be tabled in the Fall parliamentary term.

"Minister Butterfield will undoubtedly consider all of the materials pertaining to reform of the Human Rights Act, and I expect to receive direction in due course as to how Minister Butterfield, and ultimately Cabinet, intends to proceed."

Meanwhile, this Saturday will see gay and straight Bermudians alike marching in London's annual Pride parade in a show of solidarity.

Local equal rights group Two Words and a Comma is not behind the Bermuda contingent's participation, but supports the intention of increasing the visibility of the LGBT community.

"It is, in my opinion, about being visible and being proud rather than ashamed of one's sexualilty," said Two Words and a Comma's David Northcott.

Bermudian Andra Simons will march in this Saturday's Pride parade, and believes over 30 LGBT London residents from the Island – and their straight friends – will represent Bermuda at the event.

"There is a community that is here, so there's a sense of reassurance that there are queer Bermudians like me," he said. "For me, this is that chance not to be underground."

He said he was personally devastated to hear of Mr. Butler's resignation.

"It was a blow," he said. "He is one of our strongest allies. When I heard he resigned I thought, oh no, we're back to square one. Whoever leads that Ministry has our lives in their hands. Ultimately there is a desire for the Government to recognise there is a whole population that is disenfranchised."