A human rights advocate has urged Government to amend Bermuda's human rights law so that it includes sexual orientation as grounds for possible discrimination.

And her calls were backed up by the Allan Vincent Smith Foundation and several members of the gay community.

Meanwhile, Human Rights Commission acting executive officer David Wilson said the law was "constantly being amended" and did not rule out such changes being made in the future.

An amendment was made to the law last summer so that it brought those with HIV/AIDS and people with criminal records under the umbrella of those protected from discrimination in the workplace and in housing matters.

"There is no reason why this one little clause shouldn't be added," said lawyer Elizabeth Christopher. "When you look at what is protected under the Act, housing, employment, etcetera, I find it hard to see why anyone should have an objection to a person not being able to be made homeless because they're gay or not being able to be fired because they're gay."

Ms Christopher said she felt this type of amendment to the Human Rights Act was "long overdue".

"They're not being given the right to parade down Front Street or anything, just be protected from discrimination."

She pointed to the fact that South Africa has laws to protect its gay citizens and said: "Nelson Mandela and people sat down to work this out. Why can't we do the same thing?"

Allan Vincent Smith Foundation administrative director Michael Fox said he thought a "progressive and advanced community" such as Bermuda should make changes to the law and bring it in line with international human rights standards.

"I don't know why such issues are overlooked," he said. "There needs to be some protection for those people who are gay in Bermuda."

Mr. Fox said he felt homophobia was "rampant" on the Island.

"It may not be as overt in Bermuda, but just the fact that our sign was torn off the wall says something."

Several members of the gay community, all of whom asked not to be named, told The Royal Gazette they also felt the Human Rights Act should have been updated long ago.

One man, a Bermudian, who asked not to be named said: "Sexual orientation should definitely be in there because we have absolutely no protection, no legal recourse if we're unjustly fired or evicted."

He continued: "In a supposedly developed, modern society such as ours, that law is an anachronism."

The man said he was encouraged by the Progressive Labour Party Government's record on redressing past wrongs up until now but added: "They just need to extend their scope a bit."

Another man, a guest worker from the United Kingdom, said: "There is a problem with human rights in Bermuda and this certainly needs to be addressed.

"The current law leaves out a significant portion of the community. It is pretty frustrating."

Meanwhile, another gay Bermudian branded Government as "cowards" for not having addressed this issue with the last human rights amendment in 2000.

He said: "There are people in (Government) who supposedly believe strongly in human rights for everyone, yet nothing is being done about this.

Development and Opportunity Minister Terry Lister was off the Island yesterday but Mr. Wilson said: "The Human Rights Act is not unlike other pieces of legislation. When it comes to amendments, you never get all that you want."

Asked why the sexual orientation had not been included in last year's amendment, he said: "With amendments it is sometimes a question of Parliament not having been lobbied on the issue or it may be that the Minister in his wisdom, didn't see fit to move in that direction.

"Sometimes, it's because there's been no particular human cry for change in that area."

Mr. Wilson continued: "The Human Rights Act is always being amended, like any other piece of legislation. We always see the need to amend it."