legalise gay sex.

Mr. Gary Pitman was sworn in on Monday as a United Bermuda Party Senator after the Hon. Michael Winfield resigned his seat.

On his first day in the Senate, he is to take part in one of Bermuda's most contentious debates. Independent Sen. Norma Astwood is to introduce for second reading the Criminal Code 1907 Amendment Act 1994, which recently passed the House of Assembly 22-16 in a free vote.

The private member's bill from the Hon. John Stubbs of the United Bermuda Party would decriminalise consensual sex between men 18 and older. It has divided the Island's churches and much of the population.

"I didn't expect to be jumping in with both feet,'' Sen. Pitman said after his swearing-in ceremony at Government House.

The president and treasurer of Chevron International Ltd. planned to spend Bermuda Day preparing for today's debate.

Like many Senators, he would not say how he would vote. But the bill is expected to pass.

"I would hope that it passes in the Senate, and I would certainly hope that it provides the kind of debate that promotes the dignity of those to whom it refers,'' Sen. Astwood said yesterday.

Mr. Winfield, who attended Sen. Pitman's swearing-in and then left the Island on a business trip, said his expanded business interests did not leave him time to serve in the Senate.

The longtime managing director of Cambridge Beaches hotel, Mr. Winfield recently became president and chief executive officer of Bermuda Financial Centre. The company has ambitious plans to redevelop the Bermudiana Hotel site.

Sen. Pitman, who was named chairman of the UBP in December, said he would continue in that post, at least for the immediate future.

Premier the Hon. Sir John Swan said he chose Sen. Pitman to fill Mr.

Winfield's seat because of his long service to the party, the "tremendous sensitivity'' he brought to parochial issues, and his international business experience.

"I think he's an ideal candidate,'' Premier Swan said. "He's credible, capable, willing and able.'' Mr. Winfield, who cited business pressures when he quit the Cabinet and as Government Senate Leader in January, would be missed, he said. But his resignation was not unexpected.

"I've known it's been coming -- it's not something that he's just sprung on me.'' Together with his business interests, Sen. Winfield's Senate responsibilities were "just too much''.

In his letter of resignation, Mr. Winfield told the Premier he hoped his departure "will not be taken to be related to the current political issues.

It most certainly is not. Indeed my loyalty to you and to our party remains as strong today as it has ever been.'' Government's recent push for a referendum on Independence has created a split in the UBP. After a recent backbench revolt, it is expected legislation to permit a referendum will not be brought forward before fall. Mr. Winfield is known to favour Independence for Bermuda.

In another letter, the Premier thanked Mr. Winfield for his "invaluable contribution.'' A Cabinet Minister since 1990, Mr. Winfield also managed three successful UBP general election campaigns.

Sen. Pitman said he was "honoured'' by his appointment, which he only learned of on Saturday. He did not rule out running for the House of Assembly in the future.

Born and raised in Bermuda, Mr. Pitman attended Warwick Academy before earning a Bachelor of Business Administration at the University of New Brunswick. A Certified General Accountant, he was named president of Chevron in 1990.

Mr. Pitman's UBP involvement began in Sandys North. Later, he moved to Warwick West, where he worked on the campaigns of the Hon. Sir John Sharpe and the Hon. Quinton Edness.