your month ahead – Important upcoming dates for your calendar (May)
6 – 12 – Deaf Awareness Week
Deaf Awareness Week, launched by the UK Council of Deafness, takes place annually and aims to raise awareness of the barriers that prevent deaf and Deaf people from participating fully in our society. These can range from lack of access to BSL interpreters or captioned content, and can result in social isolation and mental health problems, reduced access to essential services and limited job opportunities. The theme this year is Celebrating Love and Trust.
26 – Lag B’Omer, Judaism
Lag B’Omer marks the revelation of the Zohar, a seminal text for Jewish mystics, as well as the anniversary of the end of an ancient plague that killed 24,000 Jews between the festivals of Passover and Shavuot one year.
Weddings, parties and haircuts are forbidden during the 49 days of Omer, but on Lag B’Omer, the 33rd day, restrictions are lifted and the celebrations are lively. The most common way to celebrate is with a bonfire – these are held all over the world where there are Jewish communities and symbolise the light of spiritual revelation.
As well as building fires, followers also go for family picnics, sing songs and, for many, give their children their first haircut.
FREE online events
Free webinar on ‘How belonging impacts wellbeing and workplace productivity‘ from d&i Leaders, Tuesday 30 April, 11:05-11:55.
Free lecture on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in Public Health from CUNY Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy, Thursday 2 May, 21:00-22.30.
May’s dates at a glance:
Religious and Cultural
1 – Beltane, Wicca and Pagan
2 – Twelfth Day of Ridvan, Baha’i
3 – Feast of Saints Philip and James, Catholic Christian
3 – Holy Friday, Orthodox Christian
5 – Pascha (Easter), Orthodox Christian
6 – Yom Hashoah, Judaism
9 – Feast of the Ascension, Christian
10 – Akshaya Tritiya, Hindu and Jain
13 – Yom Hazikaron, Judaism
14 – Yom Ha’Atzmaut, Judaism
14 – Feast of Saint Matthias, Catholic Christian
19 – Pentecost, Christian
23 – Birthday of Guru Amar Das, Sikh
23 – Vesak, Buddhist
23 – Declaration of The Báb, Baha’i
26 – Lag Baomer, Judaism
26 – Trinity Sunday, Christian
29 – Ascension of Baha‘U’llahm, Baha’i
30 – The Feast of Corpus Christi, Catholic Christian
31 – Visitation of The Blessed Virgin Mary, Catholic Christian
Awareness and Events
5 – International Family Equality Day
6 – 12 – Deaf Awareness Week
8 – World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day
13 – 19 – Coeliac UK Awareness Week
15 – International Day of Families
16 – Global Accessibility Awareness Day
17 – International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia
21 – World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development
21 – 22 – TUC’s Disabled Workers’ Conference
22 – International Day for Biological Diversity
24 – Pansexual Visibility Day
