The anti-gay Christian Coalition has attacked an AIDS charity as unworthy of support.

It says the Allan Vincent Smith Foundation should be shunned because of links with an allegedly pro-homosexual group.

The attack on the foundation comes as the row over the Stubbs gay rights bill reaches a climax.

The bill, which would make gay sex legal, is expected to be debated by MPs today or next Friday.

The Christian Coalition was formed by church leaders opposed to a change in the law.

It has been supported by members of denominations including the First Church of God, AME, New Testament Churches of God, Salvation Army and United Holy Church.

The Allan Vincent Smith Foundation aims to educate Bermudians on AIDS prevention. It also runs a special telephone helpline.

It was started in memory of AIDS victim Mr. Allan Smith, the gay son of local businessman Mr. Martin Smith.

When it was launched 18 months ago, organisers said it would follow the aims of the Terrence Higgins Trust -- a leading AIDS campaign in the UK.

Yesterday, Christian Coalition spokesman Mr. Ouemonde Brangman said his group had a "serious problem'' with this link.

The Terrence Higgins Trust had "promoted homosexual materials'' in schools in Britain and elsewhere, he said.

He had learned of this "despicable'' activity from the video the coalition had been showing as part of its campaign.

Mr. Brangman said: "We need to be aware that the Allan Vincent Smith Foundation have allied themselves in purpose with the Terrence Higgins Trust, and that group is specifically targeting the school system with pornographic material.

"We can't encourage our people to support it.'' The coalition supported "accurate'' AIDS information, he said. But it was opposed to attempts to "get the homosexual agenda across''.

The Allan Vincent Smith Foundation is a Bermuda registered charity.

Mr. Smith, its president, said its official aims were: "To support, educate and advise the people of Bermuda on AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) and HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) and to prevent their spread through the active distribution and dissemination of materials and information to all groups deemed to be at risk.'' He said the foundation was not affiliated with the Terrence Higgins Trust, because the AIDS situation in Bermuda was different from that of other countries.

"However, the foundation has many working relationships with a number of agencies fighting AIDS, such as the Terrence Higgins Trust, in a free exchange of materials and information, and that are benefiting us in Bermuda in the fight against AIDS.

"AIDS knows no boundaries,'' Mr. Smith added. "It doesn't matter whether you're black or white, rich or poor, all are potentially at risk.

"Bermuda has the second highest rate of AIDS incidence of any country in the world.

"We believe, therefore, that everybody in Bermuda should be working together to help eradicate this epidemic which is now upon us.'' The foundation intended to continue to play its part by pursuing its goals, he added.

"We hope the public of Bermuda at large will continue to help us achieve the elimination of this disease.'' The bill proposed by Dr. Stubbs would remove sections 177 and 179 from the Island's criminal code.

Section 177 makes "buggery'' an offence punishable by a maximum 10 years in jail. Men or women taking part in such an act can be guilty.

Attempted buggery is also illegal under section 177, with a maximum penalty of five years.

Section 179 makes "gross indecency'' between men illegal, whether public or private.

Procuring someone to commit such an offence, or attempting to procure someone, is also illegal. The maximum punishment for these offences is two years.

Last night Dr. Stubbs said he was prepared for a debate on his bill today, but he believed it was likely to be delayed until next Friday.

He preferred that date because MPs would probably have a clear agenda and more chance of a "level-headed'' debate.

MPs are expected to vote freely on the issue, without party discipline.

MR. ALLAN SMITH -- The 43-year-old Bermudian died of AIDS in 1991, prompting his family to create the Allan Vincent Smith Foundation -- an education charity.