Premier and four members of his Cabinet voted against the Stubbs Bill to legalise gay sex.

Meanwhile, the Hon. John Stubbs said he felt let down by the younger MPs who voted against his bill.

"I am rather disappointed at the lack of support from certain younger members,'' he said. "It does not suggest full enlightenment and sensitivity on their part to human rights issues.'' Younger MPs who voted against decriminalising sex between adult males included Mr. Tim Smith UBP, Community Affairs Minister the Hon. Wayne Furbert, Mr.

Dennis Lister PLP and Shadow Health Minister Mr. Nelson Bascome.

The bill passed early on Saturday morning by a comfortable 22-16 votes.

It ended months of raging debate and some aggressive lobbying over the divisive issue. The bill could receive first reading on Wednesday in the Senate, where Dr. Stubbs said Independent Sen. Norma Astwood had agreed to introduce it.

Alliance spokesman Mr. Peter Carpenter, who listened to the entire debate from the public gallery, said one of two especially memorable moments was Bishop Charles Foster Fubler's "outrageous behaviour'' during an MP's speech which caused him to be ordered out of the House.

"The other was watching Premier the Hon. Sir John Swan along with members of his Cabinet vote against the human rights of Bermudians, which absolutely disgusted and shocked me,'' Mr. Carpenter said.

"I seriously questioned the leadership of this Country with regard to its potential as an independent nation in the world arena after these individuals voted against such a simple domestic matter as its own citizens' basic right to privacy in their own homes.

"I now question their judgment in other areas that could affect all kinds of human rights issues in the future.

"I say this particularly in view of the fact that this was a vote of free conscience and not one according to party discipline.'' However, the behaviour of MPs such as Tourism Minister the Hon. C.V. (Jim) Woolridge and Transport Minister the Hon. Maxwell Burgess did not overshadow the Alliance's joy that the bill was finally approved, said Mr. Carpenter, an admitted homosexual.

"I would like to express our deepest respect and gratitude to each and every MP who showed us their support and understanding despite the threats from their constituents who said they would not vote for them in the future.

"I believe that for every constituent they may have lost, they have gained several in their place.

MPs who voted for the bill had showed tremendous courage, especially in light of the threats they had received, he said.

Mr. Carpenter added: "We take our hats off to Dr. Stubbs, a man who found a way to drive his bill through a wall of discrimination and oppression, despite all odds.'' An elated Dr. Stubbs said he thought the vote would have been closer.

He expected the bill would pass the Senate, though not without some opposition.

Rev. Dr. Vernon Lambe of the Christian Coalition was yesterday unavailable for comment.

The Coalition, which includes the First Church of God and AME Church among others, had conducted prayer vigils around the Island and led marches on Parliament to try and stop passage of the bill.

Tourists, lawyers, clergymen, gays and Muslims filled the House gallery on Friday.

Mr. Aaron Bashir, a Muslim for more than 20 years, said he was unimpressed with the way the debate had progressed before the House broke for lunch.

"Dr. Terceira should stop quoting from the Bible because what he was quoting was utter rubbish,'' he said.

"God would never bless anything that was wrong. Homosexuality is a human defect that needs to be put right. They (MPs) are a bunch of dishonourable people in an honourable house.'' As expected, members of the Christian Coalition were out in force armed with Bibles and white ribbons.

Ms Margaret Swift, a counsellor on issues relating to sexuality, said she thought it was vital that the issue be talked about publicly.

She praised what she said were some highly creative arguments on both sides of the issue.

"There's a lot of work that needs to be done in this area (sexuality), but I am impressed at how well informed many of the politicians are,'' she said.

"It's clear they have done their homework.''