Ren?e Webb last night called for the public to get involved in politics and stop relying on the "weak " members of the House of Assembly to do anything.

In an impassioned speech at a popular open-mic jam session she argued that Bermudians needed to ensure everyone had basic human rights, regardless of race, sex or sexual orientation.

She pointed out that her history in equal rights was extensive and prompted her to quit her role as Minister of Tourism in 2004 because she did not feel like she was being treated as an equal.

She said comments by the Premier made her have an "out-of-body-experience" where she saw herself giving him "one mighty whack for every woman" because she felt she was being discriminated against based on her sex. Ms Webb was referring to Premier Alex Scott's comments that he was "the man" when he told her "you will not go over, you will not go around, you will not go through me".

Ms Webb attended the Chewstick Neo-Griot Lounge at Champions nightclub and spoke to the crowd about the events that have unfolded since MPs refused to debate a human rights amendment that would see sexual orientation added to the list of things one could not legally discriminate against.

The crowd included people who attended Friday's Democracy Rally at the House of Assembly as well as those that did not.

Though her speech was short she stayed on message and implored Bermudians to get involved.

"No matter what you think of politicians, and I happen to think this is the weakest House we have ever had, you have to get involved. This House is weak because people let it be weak. Do you know I rarely get a phone call or email from people or constituents? The public needs to speak up. Sometimes I felt I was a lone voice in the wilderness.

"There are significant events in one's life and some you cannot predict. When I walked out on to the balcony of the House of Assembly and saw that sea of people I thought 'democracy is alive and well. Somewhere someone is thinking about what is going on in this country'. When I looked out I saw hope.

"You have to speak up. You cannot allow your rights to be trampled on. Stop relying on your members of Parliament to do something, get out there. We are all responsible for what is happening in this country."

She went on to urge people to look past the issue of whether or not they agree with homosexuality because the legislation is not about that, it is simply about discrimination.

"On a legal level people have to be treated as equals."