About 120 Greek Orthodox monks, priests and their supporters picketed Cyprus' parliament May 8 in protest against plans to repeal the nation's sodomy ban.

"Only an irresponsible or misinformed society would legalize an immoral act which affects the sanctity of marriage and family. It is a source of misery, guilt and infectious diseases for those who indulge in it," organizer Savvas Michaelides, a priest, told Reuters.

The Council of Europe has been pressuring Cyprus to legalize homosexuality since gays fighting the sodomy ban won a case before the European Court of Human Rights in 1993. Parliament is expected to pass the repeal measure this month.

PHILIPPINE GAYS BANNED FROM ELECTORAL PROCESSES

The Philippines has a law prohibiting gays from registering as a party, organization or coalition in the party-list system used in elections, Sen. Blas Ople revealed May 2. By law, 20 percent of the members of the lower house of parliament are elected not by voters but through the party-list system of registered national, regional and sectoral parties or organizations.

"In view of the obvious dislike of the ... administration for gay people, it is obvious that the president will not lift a finger to help them gain a sectoral seat," Ople said. Groups that are allowed to participate in the process include the labor movement, peasants, fishermen, the urban poor, indigenous communities, the elderly, the handicapped, women, youth, veterans, overseas workers and professionals.

Ople believes gays may have a "genuine need" and "sufficient numbers" to pursue a seat in the 1998 elections.

LONDON GAY CHRISTIANS PLAN TO EMBARRASS BISHOP

Gay Anglican activists in London are surveying priests to prove that bishops have knowingly ordained non-celibate gays.

The results will be used to pressure Anglican leader George Carey, Archbishop of Canterbury, who recently said all priests must choose celibacy or heterosexual marriage.

Lesbian and Gay Christian Movement General Secretary Rev. Richard Kirker told reporters it is an "open secret" that many bishops who are on record as opposing sexually active gay clergy have also ordained such priests.

"This may well be the case with the majority of bishops," Kirker said. "It is crucial that the hypocrisy behind this position is exposed."