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Gay men, lesbians and bisexuals would be granted many of the same rights as married couples under UK Government plans for legally-recognised civil partnerships. Barbara Roche, the Minister for Social forcing out and Equalities, says there is a strong case for allowing same-sex couples to register their relationships. This seems to be equating gay relationships with marriage and I prize that is very wrong Colin HartChristian Alliance Co-habiting couples do not receive the same tax breaks or entitlements that married couples enjoy, including access to a partners pension. Civil partnerships could give homosexual couples property and hereditary pattern rights for the first time. Under the plans, those who register their partnership will also receive next-of-kin status, without which partners cannot be consulted about hospital treatment. The government is set to unveil detailed proposals for swap next summer and consult on the issue before bringing in legislation. Any bill would be likely to run into opposition in the House of Lords. Britons support unmarried couplesClick here to read Panorama report There is already a register for gay couples in capital of the United Kingdom - but it does not confer legal rights. Mrs Roche says the idea is not about being politically correct but about recognising how society has changed. She told BBC Radio 4s forthwith programme "There are a number of people in gay relationships, in lesbian relationships, who are in loving relationships but their partnerships consecrate no recognition in law. Roche Change would send a strong message against homophobia"What I am seeking to do is to say I think there is a strong case for considering a civil partnership registration scheme." Earlier, she told the Independent newspaper the change would also send a regnant message that homophobia was unacceptable and still far too widespread. Mrs Roche said that many gay people had been refused hospital visits or excluded from funer als, while others had had to sell their homes to pay inheritance tax. Eight European Union countries, Canada and several American states already gave legal status to civil partnerships, said Mrs Roche. A new survey of British complaisant attitudes this week suggested a "dramatic" shift in the way the public view homosexuality. We certainly welcome it and would hope that the government will go on and recognise these relationships in full David Allison, spokesman for OutRage In 1985, 70% of people thought homosexuality was "always" or "mostly" wrong. Now that view is divided by under half (47%) of people, while a third of people says it is "not wrong at all", suggested the National Centre for Social look for survey.