Magazine from his London home. He was the only person interviewed who would allow his name to be used, although he did say he has legally changed his name since leaving Bermuda, and does not wish his former name used.

"After I left Bermuda, I lived in America for a while before coming to London in 1956. When I lived in Bermuda, and even when I returned for holidays, I had to live a life that was a lie. I realised at a very early age that I was gay.

The last time I came to Bermuda was 15 years ago, I was going to come last year, but I didn't. I don't have much happiness in Bermuda. My relatives don't particularly want to know me. I left when I was young, I was 14. I didn't really forge any strong relationships.

"I just couldn't tolerate the smothering attitude of people in Bermuda. You look at so many Bermudians who are gay and as soon as they leave the Island, they behave ridiculously. They are so glad to get out and have some fresh air.

Bermuda is a very smothering place. "There are so many married gays in Bermuda, they're making life miserable for the people around them. I can't stand that. There is a very strong gay element in Bermuda. There always has been and there always will be. If people could just be a bit realistic and lead a normal, everyday type of life, I'm sure they'd be accepted.

"I live without any hassles, I have lots of friends, lots of warm, kind friends. In Bermuda, a tremendous stink would be made about my lifestyle. I've achieved things over here that were not at all possible in Bermuda as a dancer. The situation just wouldn't have arisen in Bermuda. The whole environment over here is different. I have access to the culture of so many countries. I danced with the Royal Ballet for 15 years, and I've danced in major ballets in Paris, Berlin, Italy, Scandinavia, Holland, as well as England. "Being gay is just not an issue here. I have gay and straight friends and nobody treats you any differently. There is such an immense cross section of people and lifestyles and being gay is the least of the hassles.

"Of course, there is an element of the gay world that think they are special.

They put these markers out and they behave in a terribly effeminate way. And they make everyone feel uncomfortable. They are flamboyant and generally rude.

And they don't represent the majority of the gay community. I think people must keep their sexual preferences to themselves. It doesn't have to be pushed down everyone else's throat. There is no need to be aggressive with your homosexuality. Like these marches. That's what people think is representative of the gay community when they see those. "Of course, there will also always be people who want to infringe on the way you live no matter how private you are.

"In Bermuda, you don't really get a chance to come out. If you're gay and other people know it, they choke you. I don't feel comfortable there. I want to be. But everything is wrong with me living there. There are just so many little things that aren't right. "I couldn't even walk down the street and stop and speak to someone without them getting tagged. There are a lot of very narrow-minded people all over the world, but they seem to be so concentrated in Bermuda. "I know some of my family members come over here to London on holiday. I don't see them as much as I'd like to. I think they're frightened to death to look me up. "I would love to come back to Bermuda some day, but I'm much happier here. In Bermuda, I'd be marooned. I don't think I'll ever return there to live. I'd really like to, but I'd be grossly unhappy, and I'd get no help from anybody. I do feel very sad about Bermuda. Let's face it, I was born there and I went to school there. I would like to feel comfortable about returning.'' RG MAGAZINE MARCH 1993