sex, claimed its organisers.

Originally the Christian Coalition intended to stage the march this Friday. It is aimed at persuading MPs to throw out the Hon. John Stubbs proposal to scrap the law making it an offence for gay men to have sex.

The Friday march will go ahead as planned but the march today was arranged to show the strength of feeling of the churches.

They believe homosexual sex is against the teachings of the Bible and is unacceptable.

Both marches begin at Victoria Park and will progress to the House of Assembly where a petition will be presented to the Premier the Hon. Sir John Swan and the Leader of the Opposition Mr. Frederick Wade, who are involved in today's Budget debate.

Permission was originally given to the Valiant Ex-Gay Ministry, but other churches became involved under the Christian Coalition.

Organiser Mr. Roger Brangman said: "The Coalition is made up of pastors of all the churches around the Island, both black and white people.

"We have decided to have these two marches because we feel this is such an important issue. There will be no doubt in people's minds about the position we are taking.'' Mr. Brangman is hoping to attract people to march during their lunch breaks and support the Coalition's stance.

Valiant spokesman Mr. Duane Santucci, a former homosexual, said: "We are not out to expose gays or to go gay bashing.

"This march will be policed by the churches and the Police, where will be no rowdiness.

"If anybody is thinking of coming and behaving in a rowdy manner they had better forget it.'' Concerning comments made about the Bermuda Human Rights Alliance last Friday, he said: "I want to make it plain that I am not seeking to expose gay people but I was pointing out that a lot of things the Commission does happens behind closed doors and that should be exposed.'' One group definitely involved in the march will be the Hebrew Israelite Community. Mission Head Mr. Ahtur Eliyahtsoor Ben Israel said: "The Hebrew Israelite community believes in the god of Abraham.

"We call on the men of God to accept the god of Abraham, accept his laws, his commitments, his statutes and his covenants.

"They should stand united against any relaxation of laws that will permit further permissiveness in our society. We have enough ills already without creating some more.

"God says that we will not get away wholly unpunished for our sins and we see his paying the price by AIDS and the numerous deaths based on bad diets and practices.'' Mr. Israel said the community did not prejudge gay people and offered them redemption if that is what they desired.

He said: "We will, as a community, march and participate in all activities that aid in ridding our Country of this perverse and unnatural behaviour.'' Today's march begins at 12 noon so that it will reach the House of Assembly before MPs break for lunch. Friday's march will go ahead at 12.30 p.m. as scheduled.

The Human Rights Alliance, which supports the legalisation of gay sex, says it will not hold a counter-demonstration.

Dr. Stubb's proposal is unlikely to be debated by MPs until March 11 at the earliest.