Bermuda's newest chairman of the Human Rights Commission has refused to back down from his participation in an anti-homosexual protest.

"I think that people generally have to accept that no matter what position we hold, we are individuals and individual people have their individual opinions,'' the Rev. Goodwin Smith told The Royal Gazette in his first interview since being appointed.

In 1994, Dr. Smith, leader of the New Testament Church of God, publicly protested against a controversial amendment to decriminalise homosexuality.

"With that particular issue about the bill that was to pass in the House of Assembly a few years ago, I was one of those persons in this community -- in the midst of thousands -- that disagreed with that particular legislation,'' he said.

"And just as I had my opinions on that, I'm sure that there are others that serve on the same committee and on the former Human Rights Commission that have their opinion.

"The difference between me and them is that I showed mine by marching at the House of Assembly against that particular legislation.

"If that's going to be held against me, because I was honest to stand and declare my feelings -- which I think was a moral issue more than a human rights one -- then so let it be.

"Do I back down from my stance? No. I know I will sit as chairperson and will deal with everything that comes to us as an individual, separate case.

"I've been doing arbitration for a while and one's sexual preference doesn't come into play one bit in any decision that I have to make.

"There are some people in my congregations in the Island who have also identified themselves as having homosexual tendencies.

"I don't deny them any rights in this church.

"If there are questions that have to be asked on my theology or pertaining to it, by all means I'll sit and tell it. I'll be very frank.

"I'm a candid person, very candid. And that usually gets you in trouble. But I guess what you see is what you get with Goodwin Smith.

"So I don't sit on the board committee behind any mask. And if the gay community feels that I will jeopardise anything that they would want to put forward, then they have the right to think that.

"But I think that my decisions are not going to be based on one's sexual preference.'' Dr. Smith, who succeeds another clergyman, Anglican Canon James Francis, admitted he is still uncertain about his role as the head of the HRC, but said he believed the organisation needed to raise its profile.

"I think that people in the community think that the Commission hasn't done anything because basically they don't hear anything,'' he said . "You know, a lot of times if you don't tell people what you're doing, they think you're not doing anything.

"I think that's one area that I will look at as chairperson.'' However, he pointed out he would have to familiarise himself with the "limits and extremes'' of the HRC before enacting any changes.

"Even if it got to a point where names didn't get used, didn't have to get used,'' he continued.

"But I think it's vitally important that the community know what this particular commission is doing.

"Why do we need to hide? I'm not being critical with what has already taken place. I just wonder why there isn't more publicity.'' Dr. Smith -- who has served on a variety of other board and church committees -- said he did not see his new post as a great change.

"I'm a very strong believer that my work goes beyond the walls of this church,'' he said. "I know that this is a heavy challenge. With that, sometimes it can be quite frightening, but you have to take responsibility.

"And at the same time I like challenges and so I will do what I have to do.

"I just feel that this is another part of my calling as a member of the community.''