reported its conference was scheduled for this evening. The conference took place on Saturday evening.

A new group aimed at "healing'' homosexuals says six gay men have come forward for help so far.

Valiant Ex-Gay Ministries said last week that many non-gay people suffering from "sexual addiction'' had also approached them.

A married man involved in "compulsive behaviour'' had been in touch, as had an "ex-gay'' woman who was now married.

Casemates prison had also contacted the group after an inmate expressed interest.

The new group is being set up by the Family Policy Council church group, advisers from the US, and Bermudian laundromat owner Mr. Wayne Lee, who says he gave up a gay life more than two years ago.

It is holding a conference tomorrow night at St. Paul's, Paget, with British psychologist Dr. Elizabeth Moberly, American priest the Rev. Earle Fox and US campaigner Mr. Anthony Falzarano, a former male prostitute who spoke at previous meetings in the Island in May.

Dr. Moberly told a press conference last week: "Not all homosexuals want to change but there are many that quite genuinely want to change, and it's their choice.'' This desire to seek change deserved respect, she said.

"There are no quick fixes in this. It does take time and hard work and persistence and motivation.

"No homosexual can be forced to change but many have changed and are in the process of changing. Homosexuals are not born that way.'' She said recent claims that genes or hormones had a role were based on small and inconclusive studies.

The Rev. Harlyn Purdy, of the Family Policy Council, was asked why churches did not seem to form similar groups or hold similar meetings about problems like adultery.

He said a lot of churches did offer counselling on adultery.

But Valiant was needed because most gays feared discovery and persecution, and needed to discuss their problems freely and anonymously.