BERMUDA'S silent majority needs to make their voices heard at today's Parliamentary rally being held to protest last week's defeat of an amendment to the island's Human Rights legislation.

Organiser Suzanne Mayall , in a statement circulated yesterday, said it was imperative for progressive-minded Bermudians to demonstrate their displeasure with Parliamentarians if they want to avoid any repetitions of the the legislative manoeuvring that killed Ren?e Webb's Private Member's Bill in the House of Assembly last Friday,

"This gathering will be a calm presence indicating to Parliamentarians as they disperse for lunch that the events of last week are not OK with the majority," she said. "Bring posters, banners, but most of all, yourselves ? the silent majority needs to stand up and be counted.

"Last week's events mean different things to different people ? I can only explain why I feel the need to speak out. After much discussion over the past few years on amendments to our existing Human Rights legislation, the Government decided not to include sexual orientation as a grounds of protection against discrimination.

"As a result, Ren?e Webb brought a Private Member's Bill to the House of Assembly which was 'debated' on Friday, May 26. After an excellent speech by Ren?e Webb, only Nelson Bascome spoke on the Bill.

"House rules dictate that two additional members must speak on the Bill before a recorded vote can be taken. The Progressive Labour Party (except for Mr. Bascome) refused to debate the issue and the United Bermuda Party decided it would wait to see what the PLP said first. Both parties did Bermuda a grave disservice in denying the public an airing of the issue."

Ms Mayall said one defence being offered for Friday's events is that all Parliamentarians were lobbied hard by people who opposed the bill ? 100-plus e-mails were received against the legislation and none from those who supported it.

"Beyond my disappointment in the lack of courage and leadership Parliament showed, I am also ashamed of the glaring failure of the progressive minded to use our voices," she said. "Me and all the people I know are now hopping mad they did NOTHING to support Ren?e Webb or the amendment. To me the lesson is: Our society is not sufficiently evolved to allow complacency.

"Vigilance and participation is key. I don't believe that the majority of Bermudians think that discrimination based on any grounds is OK ? I just think we didn't make ourselves heard.

"Civil liberties are a pillar of our society. I do not questions people's right to hold whatever moral or religious belief they choose ? I do question the right they have to discriminate against others on any basis.

"As a good friend said to me, 'Your freedom to swing your fist ends where my face begins'. The rights of various individuals need to be balanced in society ? this is Government's job. We cannot succumb to a climate of ignorance and fear in which we are all forced to affirm certain personal, social and religious values. This issue is about all of us and the quality of our democracy.

Ms Mayall urged supporters of the rally to bring letters with them to Parliament expressing how they feel

"If the MPs received 100-plus last week, let them receive 1,000 this week," she said. "Demand that your voice be heard. I'm praying for progress."

The rally is due to commence today at 12.15 p.m. in the grounds of the House of Assembly.