The sexual orientation of freed Canadian hostage Jim Loney was kept under wraps by his family as a precautionary measure during his four months of captivity.

Loney's relatives did not reveal that he was gay because they felt that his sexuality would affect his chances of survival, Doug Pritchard, co-director of the Christian Peacemakers Teams, told The Canadian Press.

"It's a sad fact that around the world gays and lesbians are more vulnerable to attack than straights," Pritchard said.

Pritchard said the family feared Loney would come to harm at the hands of his Iraqi abductors if they had known his sexual orientation.

"When Jim was already in a vulnerable position we didn't, nor his family, want him to be exposed to further danger," he said.

In 2001, Iraq's constitution was amended to make homosexuality a crime punishable by death, Amnesty International reported.

Although the constitution was changed after Saddam Hussein was toppled from power, the rights of gays and lesbians in the country still remain uncertain.

Dan Hunt, Loney's partner, shunned the media spotlight during the ordeal, emerging only to greet his partner when he returned to Toronto on Sunday.

Pritchard said that a public plea by Hunt during Loney's captivity "probably would not have been helpful."

The 41-year-old Loney was rescued last Thursday by coalition forces in Iraq along with fellow Canadian Harmeet Sooden and Briton Norm Kember. American Tom Fox, who had also been kidnapped, was found on a Baghdad street March 10. He had been shot to death.

In Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., the community is launching a welcome-back campaign for Loney's anticipated arrival.

"We expect James to arrive in Sault Ste. Marie with Dan in the next few days," said brother Matt, who arrived Monday.

"We look forward to celebrating with family, with our friends…we are preparing a safe and loving place for James to arrive."

Red ribbons on trees and welcome home signs throughout the city have been set up as a tribute to Loney.

The signs, including "Prayers Answered, Welcome Home James", were to be placed on buildings prior to Loney's arrival.

The Sault Star also ran a full-page picture of Loney for the city's 75,000 residents to place in their windows. The paper said they wanted to show Loney's family the "joy of an entire community as he arrives home."

Claudette Loney said she was thrilled to watch the television coverage of her son's return to Toronto.

"All I can say is it was great," she said smiling.

After returning on Sunday, Loney thanked those involved in rescuing him and asked the public for some privacy.

"I am grateful in a way that can never be adequately expressed in words," he told reporters after arriving at Pearson International Airport on Sunday.

"It's great to be alive."

Loney said now that he's free he wants to slip into "an abyss of love."

"All I really want to do is to love and be loved by the people that I love," Loney said. "I need some time to get reacquainted with my partner Dan, my family, my community, and freedom itself."

Loney spent Sunday night enjoying a meal with loved ones.

"We had a lovely meal and just chatted you know, hung out and got to know each other again. Just some regular stuff," Loney's brother Ed said.

"He looked in good health, and we had a warm reception, and it was just fabulous to wrap my arms around him."

It is still unclear when Loney will return to his hometown but reports have suggested Tuesday night or Wednesday.

With files from Canadian Press