Amnesty International Bermuda has thrown its weight behind calls to outlaw discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation.The group said amending the Human Rights Act is one of its main campaign areas this year, as it reacted to plans for a demonstration at City Hall over the issue next Wednesday.More than 200 people have now pledged to attend a protest in response to student Krys Assan’s claims she was mistreated at a Bermuda hotel.Meanwhile, new Opposition leader John Barritt said he was encouraged by Human Rights Commission chairman Shade Subair’s statement that she expects the law to be amended before the end of the year.But Families Minister Glenn Blakeney declined to comment when asked if Ms Subair is right to be confident on that matter.Ms Assan began organising the “Home Is Where The Hatred Is”, calling for homophobic discrimination to be outlawed, after saying she was told to leave Windsong Guest Apartments and told by the owner Roslyn Anderson to “stay with your girlfriend”.Mrs Anderson says she is not prejudiced; protesters argue the incident highlights the need to change the law HRC is unable to investigate any claims about discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation because those two words are not included in the Human Rights Act.Amnesty’s Bermuda director Robyn Skinner said yesterday: “Amnesty International Bermuda remains committed to fighting any form of discrimination, including because of someone’s sexual orientation, in Bermuda and abroad.“Amending the Human Rights Act to ensure that it further protects those who continue to be discriminated against is something Amnesty International Bermuda has made one of our main campaign areas this year.“We cannot comment on this particular case as we do not know the entirety of the details nor do we comment on individual cases, however, if there was discrimination we are concerned that that does not happen in the future.“Every Bermudian resident should be protected by the law and in that regard, Amnesty International would stand by any initiative taken to ensure further protection for Bermudian citizens under the law.”Ms Subair said on Wednesday: “As chair of the HRC, I have regularly met with the most senior officers of the Ministry of Human Affairs, including the Executive Officer, the Department Director, the Permanent Secretary, and the Honourable Minister Glenn Blakeney, himself.“The purpose of those numerous meetings were to encourage such speedy changes to our Human Rights Act and it is my hope and understanding that these changes are likely to be forthcoming at some point before the close of this year.”One Bermuda Alliance leader Mr Barritt responded yesterday: “I’m encouraged. This has been promised for some time now.“I really think it’s long past we get on with accepting the principle that opportunity for all means protection for all.”Ms Annan has not responded to messages since organising the demonstration. Her father Mickey Robinson claimed it had been cancelled, but the event is still being advertised on Facebook, with 216 people saying they’ll attend as of yesterday.Suzanne Mayall, of Two Words And A Comma, which is also fighting for discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation to be outlawed, said: “We are aware of the demonstration and, though we are not involved in its organisation, will obviously support however we can.”Mark Anderson, who will take part in the May 24 Parade as ‘Queen of Bermuda Sybil Barrington’, last night invited those who intend to demonstrate at City Hall to also join him in the parade on Tuesday.“This is an open invitation to this lady and those people who support her to bring their flyers and their posters and join with me. I’m number 43 in the parade. all gays, bisexuals and their supporters and parents can join me,” said Mr Anderson, who is performing in the ‘Drag War’ show at Docksiders on Front Street this Sunday evening.lUseful websites: www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=211264392237684, www.oba.bm, www.amnestybermuda.org