News that Government backbencher Renee Webb has finally tabled her bill to outlaw discrimination on the grounds of sexuality has been welcomed by gay rights campaigner Nikki Bowers.

However it remains unclear when the bill will be debated with the Speaker deferring a decision on whether a Government bill also aiming to amend the Human Rights bill must take precedence.

Ms Bowers, of the Bermuda Rainbow Alliance, said she was hoping for early debate of Ms Webb?s bill.

She said: ?Ms Webb continues to propel human right?s issues forward ? a difficult task in a country that seems to have a ?no talk? policy in effect regarding the ?squeamish? topics of racism and sexual orientation.

?Every member of the House should be sitting in that seat because they desire a better Bermuda for all Bermudians.

?The fact that gay and lesbian Bermudians experience housing and employment insecurity simply because of their sexual orientation should be abhorrent to each and every member.?

She said she hoped the bill would be decided by a vote of conscience rather than have the party whips influence how MPs vote.