Equalities and diversity calendar - May 2012

1 World Asthma Day
World Asthma Day is observed on the first Tuesday in the month of May. It is an opportunity for local communities to raise awareness about asthma.

1-2 Twelfth Day of Ridvan - Bahái.

5 Buddha Day (Wesak) - Buddhist
The most important day in the Buddhist calendar celebrated on the full moon in May, Buddha's birthday and some believe the day of his enlightenment and death.

7 May Day
This marks the forthcoming summer and is celebrated by a holiday on the first Monday of May.

7-13 Deaf Awareness Week

12 World Fair Trade Day
A celebration of Fair Trade internationally, with events organised worldwide.

13-19 Christian Aid Week
A week of awareness and Fund Raising in support of charities around the world.

17 Ascension Day – Christian
Marks the last appearance of Christ after the resurrection.

17 International Day Against Homophobia
The International Day Against Homophobia, held on 17 May every year aims to reach all groups of society, regardless of their sexual orientation. The day is set aside to fight homophobia and provides an opportunity to highlight positive aspects of and celebrate the contribution of lesbians and gays to society.

23 Declaration of the Bab – Bahái
Commemorates the 1844 revelation by the faith’s prophet – herald. The Bab declared that he was heralding a new message from God.

27 Shavuot (the first day) - Jewish
A two day festival that marks the time when the first harvest was taken to the temple.

27 Pentecost - Christian
The Seventh Sunday after Easter celebrating the gift of the holy spirit.

29 Ascension of Baha'u'llah - Bahái
Solemn commemoration of the ascension of the Bahái faith’s founder.

31 World No Tobacco Day
This day is celebrated around the world to draw global attention to the tobacco epidemic and the preventable death and disease it causes.