Demonstrators plan to march on the House of Assembly on Friday to protest at the failure of MPs to debate a bill which would have outlawed discrimination based on sexual orientation.

Organisers of the rally, which will take place at 12.15 p.m. in the grounds of the House, said last night that many people were frustrated and angry at the way the proposed Human Rights Amendment Act 2006 was thrown out of Parliament last week. The private member?s bill, tabled by Government backbencher Renee Webb, was kicked out in the committee stage after its second reading when only one other MP, Nelson Bascome, spoke out on it.

Protester Suzanne Mayall said: ?The message that we really want to get out is that we feel democracy has been hijacked.

?Regardless of how people feel either way on the issue, I think everybody deserves to know how our parliamentarians felt.?

Another organiser, Natasha Rosdol, said: ?The majority of this country is probably as stunned as I was to hear that our elected representatives voted against democracy with their silence.

?Democracy depends on speech and persuasion. By copping out of the opportunity for reasoned debate, our politicians failed all of us, no matter what side we?re on.?

Jon Legere, who plans to attend the demonstration, said: ?I?m upset that our Government didn?t even voice their opinion. That?s my biggest concern. I?d like our parliamentarians to stand up for what they believe in.?

Emails were being widely circulated around the Island yesterday asking people to take part in the hastily-organised action.

Ms Rosdol wrote: ?The question now really is, are we going to remain apathetic and complacent or can we stand up and make a strong statement to our so-called leaders?

?A good start ? simple and short ? would be to assemble on the House of Assembly grounds and make our presence felt.?

Ms Mayall wrote: ?Both parties did Bermuda a grave disservice in denying the public an airing of the issue.

?Bring letters to Parliament expressing how you feel. Demand your voice be heard.?

The draft legislation, which was opposed by the African Methodist Episcopal Church, has been dubbed a gay rights bill by some.

But Ms Webb told the House last Friday that it was to protect the rights of all of the Island?s citizens, be they homosexual, heterosexual or bisexual.

Ms Mayall said: ?I haven?t talked to anybody gay about it. Everybody who is organising this is straight.?

She admitted that those backing the bill should have shown their support for it before last Friday. But she added: ?I thought there would be a debate. We deserve to hear what our parliamentarians think and that?s really the focus of our anger.?

Ms Webb told she supported the demonstration. ?If people want to stand up for their rights, it?s a good thing. I?m going to come out and see what they are protesting about.

?People have the right of assembly. I think they can at least make their government aware of how they feel.?

She said she would table a similar bill again if there was any indication that members would give it some thought. But she added: ?I think the House unfortunately right now has people who just sway with the wind. It?s disheartening. I can?t deal with people who have so little integrity.?