Bermuda's gays have been asked to come together as a "vibrant, thriving" community by an activist who would like to see the issue of homosexual equality take a place on the Island's political agenda.

Meanwhile, community activist Duane Santucci has blasted religious leaders for not taking a strong, visible stance in the struggle to deny gay people what he called "special rights".

He was responding to a story in last Wednesday's Royal Gazette in which a human rights advocate called for sexual orientation to be added to the Human Rights Act as possible grounds for discrimination in the housing and employment fields.

Elizabeth Barnes' article in the new gay newsletter Imago, which had its first issue this month, said gay people in Bermuda should use the powers of communication, via the Press and the Internet, to help consolidate into a recognisable community that society could not continue to ignore.

Ms Barnes explained the goals of the newsletter were "visibility, communication and developing the unbreakable bonds" between local and visiting gay people.

"The most powerful force in human relations is communication - it ends the "us-them" duality: freed from objectifying another whole group of people, bigotry disappears on its own.

Ms Barnes continued: "Fostering communication is the aim of any social movement, and gays must necessarily adopt the path set down by history.

"Yet communication is essential not only between those on the `outside', it is vital for those who constitute the members of the group. Active free communication gives strength, support, and often in the case of queers, will create strong new `family' bonds."

She said the passing of the 1994 Stubbs Bill legalising gay sex had failed to result in the catastrophic consequences that were foretold by those most strongly opposed to it.

"Despite hysterical prophecies to the contrary, tourism has, on average, risen since 1994. As well, the ravenous sequin-clad hordes of militant Bermudians intent on enforcing the `gay agenda' have failed to materialise (much to our collective disappointment...)."

While noting that the passing of the Act had been a major victory, Ms Barnes said: "The pervasive gap between decriminalising actions and having true equality is profound."

She said contributions to the newsletter can be sent to subalterhotmail.com and added: "Hate mail is always appreciated, it provides a good laugh and some healthy motivation."

Non-denominational Christian activist Mr. Santucci said recent calls for sexual orientation to be added to the Human Rights Act should not be listened to. And he criticised the Island's religious community for keeping themselves "behind closed doors" when it comes to speaking out against gay issues.

"I give credit to the gay community because at least they have kept fighting for what they believe in. But the work that needs to be done by the church in taking to the streets is not being done. This is why the homosexuals will never have a problem getting what they want. The church has become powerless because its leaders are powerless." On the human rights issue, Mr. Santucci said: "Gays are already protected under the law as it stands. The British laws that we have, have been in place for years and they protect the homosexual race already.

"If gays should be protected then Christians should come out and say that they should have special rights too."

Mr. Santucci added: "We're not dealing with something that is moral here. It is immoral because the gay lifestyle goes against human rights as God has commanded it and what He created mankind for."