CG Partnership is strongly involved in Equality and Diversity. That's why we thought it was important to share these dates with you.

February is LGBT History Month ; Lesbian Gay Bisexual Trans History Month takes place every year in February. It celebrates the lives and achievements of the LGBT community. See http://www.lgbthistorymonth.org.uk/index.htm

In History ….

13 Feb 1978: Ford makes her ITN debut
Tomorrow's World presenter Anna Ford has been officially announced as ITN's first female newsreader.

14 Feb 1997: Lawrence 'killed by racists'
Jurors at the inquest into the death of Stephen Lawrence have decided the black teenager was unlawfully killed "in a completely unprovoked racist attack by five white youths.

25 Feb 1982: Parents can stop school beatings
The European Court of Human Rights rules corporal punishment in Britain's schools is a violation of the Human Rights Convention.

26 Feb 1987: Synod says 'yes' to women priests
The Church of England's General Synod votes by a huge majority in favour of the ordination of women priests

20 Feb 1985 : Ireland allows sale of contraceptives
In a highly controversial vote on this day in 1985, the Irish government defies the powerful Catholic Church and approves the sale of contraceptives. Up until 1979, Irish law prohibited the importation and sale of contraceptives.

2 Feb 1990: The President of South Africa lifts the 30-year ban on leading anti-apartheid group the African National Congress.
1990 feb 2

11 Feb 1990: Freedom for Nelson Mandela
Leading anti-apartheid campaigner Nelson Mandela freed from prison in South Africa after 27 years.

Calendar

2 Feb: Candlemas (Christian)
This is often called The Presentation of Christ in the Temple and commemorates the day Mary took Jesus to the Temple at Jerusalem to present him to God. Coincides with Groundhog Day (USA)
Imbolc (Pagan )
Also called Oimelc and Candlemas, Imbolc celebrates the awakening of the land and the growing power of the Sun

3 Feb: Rissun (Setsubun) (Shinto)
A Spring festival that marks the division between Winter and Spring and is celebrated with beans.
Chinese New Year

4 Feb: Birthday of the prophet Muhammad (Islam)

8 Feb: Parinirvana - Nirvana day (Buddhist )
Mahayana Buddhist festival marking the anniversary of Buddha's death. Pure Land Buddhists call the festival "Nirvana Day". Parinirvana is celebrated by some Buddhists on February 8th

14 Feb: St Valentine's Day (Christian )
Now more a secular festival than a religious one. There are at least three different saints named Valentine

15 Feb: Nirvana day (alternative date) (Buddhist )
Nirvana Day is also known as Parinirvana and is celebrated by some Buddhists on February 8th. Nirvana Day is the celebration of Buddha's death when he reached total Nirvana, at the age of 80

21 Feb: Shrove Tuesday
Also called Pancake Day and Mardi Gras. The British name of "Pancake Day" comes from the tradition of making pancakes to use up all the food that could not be eaten during Lent.

22 Feb: Ash Wednesday
The first day of Lent for Western Christian churches. Lent is the season marking the time Jesus spent in the wilderness.

27 Feb: First Day of Lent
The start of the "Great Lent" for Orthodox Christians. This day is called Clean Monday, and occurs seven weeks before the Orthodox Easter