Another gay Bermudian has "come out'', as the controversy over homosexual rights reaches its height. This evening, MPs are expected to debate a move to make gay sex legal.

Mr. Peter Carpenter, new spokesman for pro-gay group the Bermuda Human Rights Alliance, says he feels now is the time to make a stand.

He was moved to go public by the movie "Philadelphia'', about an AIDS victim's fight against prejudice.

Government MP the Hon. John Stubbs believes it is "almost certain'' his Criminal Code Amendment Bill will be discussed today. Debate could start around 5 p.m., he says, once the Budget debate ends and any minor business is completed.

He believes he will be victorious in his bid to get laws against gay sex removed.

Mr. Carpenter, a piano teacher and Agape House volunteer, paid tribute to Mr.

Curtis Williams, the first publicly-identified spokesman for the BHRA.

He will take over when Mr. Williams leaves to study in New York. Mr. Carpenter said he was inspired after meeting his predecessor a few weeks ago.

"I stand beside him now with enormous respect and admiration for his courage for being the first person to give his name and face to the public.'' Mr. Carpenter said he had been at war with himself over whether to make a stand. "I've been standing on the tip of the diving board for a long time. It was the film "Philadelphia'' that broke the camel's back for me. Halfway through it I thought of Curtis, and jumped off the diving board. There is no turning back.'' As a home-owning, self-employed Bermudian, he felt able to go public. "It is because I cannot lose my home, my business or my birthright to live on this Island that I have chosen to speak on behalf of others who face such threats every day.

"I have the total support of my parents and family, my friends, my students and the organisations with which I am associated. Persons of homosexual orientation are not fighting anything. We are only asking others to stop denying what we are, even if they do not like or agree with what we are.

"We are not criminals, nor are we responsible for the `destruction of society'.'' Mr. Carpenter said his sexuality was not created by any traumatic family experiences. "I believe with my own life that homosexual orientation is biological. I recognised as a very young child that there was something different about myself. It was after I reached puberty that that difference became clear to me.'' Mr. Williams said he believed Dr. Stubbs' bill would pass, based on surveys of MPs.

"There may be a few private parties, but we're not going to parade. Bermuda will just be normal. It won't change the way gay men walk on the street or do anything.

"It will just give us the security that everybody else already has.'' COMING OUT -- Mr. Peter Carpenter (above) was moved by the film "Philadelphia'' to join Mr. Curtis Williams (bottom) in openly campaigning for gay rights.