gay sex remains a major talking point in Bermuda. With US gay rights activists forcing the issue the media paying close attention, a decision, one way or the other, seems close at hand. Is is likely that a private member's bill will be brought to Parliament to decriminalise gay sex but, with an election in the offing, it is impossible to gauge how MPs will vote on the issue.

In 1971, when a bill to legalise gay sex was brought before Parliament, then Health Minister Gloria McPhee was certain the bill would not only be passed, but be passed with a substantial majority,. She lobbied both the United Bermuda Party and the Progressive Labour Party and had the word of the Speaker of the House, Sir Dudley Spurling, that is there was a tie, he would vote for the amendment. when it came down to the vote after a lengthy debate, the bill, introduced by backbencher William Cox, was rejected by two voted, 16 to 14.

McPhee says a few UBP MPs who had indicated they would voted for the amendment had left the chamber while two others voted against the bill.

The bill's failure to a large extent reflects the uncertainty of political votes on issues of conscience. It also explains why the issue has not resurfaced again until now and it underlines the pitfalls that will surround any attempt now to repeal the law.

"Back in 1971, the whole thing was handled in a very political way. There was no big hoopla and it wasn't made scandalous like it is today,'' McPhee remembers. "I don't think any politician can pursue this issue at this time, with an election coming up.'' Apart from those in safe seats, politicians generally believe they risk losing their seats in an election if they vote the "wrong way''. Though both the Anglican and Catholic bishops have thrown their support behind the move to repeal the law, the AME church is openly opposed. So, while some MPs may lose support if they vote against repealing the law because of strong gay pockets in marginal constituencies, a larger number are at risk if they vote in favour of repeal because of large groups of conservative or fundamentalist constituents who feel strongly that the law should be retained.

Oddly, this may be more true for the supposedly Progressive Labour Party than for the conservative United Bermuda Party. Take the 1983 vote on abortion for example. A majority of UBP members voted in favour of liberalising Bermuda's abortion law while all PLP members voted against the move. The abortion bill was passed 20 to 16.

While the debate over the homosexual sex law continues, neither party has said much one way or the other,, and while the National Liberal Party has not made any public statement on the issue, its leader Gilbert Darrell has said publicly he personally is opposed to changing the law. Nonetheless, politicians of all parties would probably prefer to delay a vote until after an election -- regardless of which party wins -- rather than risk a vote before an election.

United Bermuda Party backbencher John Stubbs, who chaired a committee in 1971 to look into the law as it relates to homosexuality, believes that the issue is too important to have it rushed through Parliament. "The nature of votes of conscience are vociferous and emotive. The best way to do this would be effectively and expeditiously. It must be done with care, diligence and expertise.'' On a lighter note, soap opera actress Victoria Rowell, featured in last month's My Kind of Place, obviously has difficulty on The Young and The Restless. she signed the guest book at Fourways Inn: "Victoria Rowell (Drucilla, Y&R), Genoa City, USA.