The sanctions of a civil marriage have seen many changes over the years with one of the biggest turnovers now being debated in the House of Lords.

So, as the new Bill allowing gay and unmarried couples to have the same rights as married couples is pushed through the House of Lords, what do people believe the changing face of marriage has become?

The new proposal by Liberal Democrat peer, Lord Lester, would allow registered gay and unmarried couples living together for six months or more to get legal recognition for their relationship and reap the benefits which traditionally only applied to married couples.

Griffith Vaughan Williams, media officer for the Campaign for Homosexual Equality, welcomes the Bill which he believes is long overdue. "Homosexuals and people living together can face the huge plight of what happens when a partner dies. Gay people may now be able to be involved in the legal issues highlighted by legal partnerships offered by the Greater London Authority."

Lord Lester's Bill will try to legalise factors for gay and unmarried couples such as next of kin, inheritance and pension rights.

"This move should be encouraged and welcomed, not blocked by the tactics of the Labour government," said Mr Williams.

"Both heterosexuals and homosexuals can benefit from this. At the moment, all people in unmarried relationships have no protection. As a government spokesman said in The House Of Lords, there is a need to look at the legal requirements suitable for the lifestyles of people in 2002 and make them appropriate and relevant."

Relate in central Middlesex echoed this perspective.

"We are an organisation that recognises that people have relationships and make choices, there is no reason at all why they shouldn't have the same rights," said director Hazel Hewett.

"I hope the Bill will be welcomed by a lot of people as I think it is well overdue. The current structure has a very outdated view and does not fit in with where we are with society, which is hopefully a society which is accepting and tolerant of all peoples ways of being."

However, not everyone sympathises with the disadvantages currently being placed on unmarried couples.

Colin Hart, director of The Christian Institute, claims that the privileges which are necessary for those who make the commitment of marriage are being handed out far too easily to people 'who have lived together for six months'.

"Marriage is unique. Couples who marry are prepared to make a commitment for life. The government acknowledges it is the best place for raising children. Its legal and financial privileges are very necessary for those who make the commitment.

"The fact is most homosexual people don't seem to want gay marriage in any case. In London, Ken Livingstone's much trumpeted civil partnerships register has only been signed by 100 couples in four months

"Heterosexuals already have a way of obtaining the benefits of marriage by getting married. The law should not promote temporary relationships. I hope peers will see this Bill for what it is a form of counterfeit marriage which devalues the currency of marriage and reject it."

This new legislation comes at the same time ministers are set to bring in a law allowing couples to marry almost anywhere. These government proposals point out that the person conducting the ceremony must be licensed rather than the wedding venue, meaning that the only places weddings would not be sanctioned would be in the air, sky diving or bungee-jumping.

Mr Hart added: "There is a real danger that these two proposals will trivialise marriage. It is extremely popular but does not have the support it has had in the past. Under the new Bill, marriage will be treated as something which is not seen as important."