The Sexual & Gender Minority Research Office (SGMRO) coordinates sexual and gender minority (SGM)–related research and activities by working directly with the NIH Institutes, Centers, and Offices. The Office was officially established in September 2015 within the NIH Division of Program Coordination, Planning, and Strategic Initiatives (DPCPSI).
Sexual and gender minority (SGM) populations include, but are not limited to, individuals who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, asexual, transgender, non-binary, Two-Spirit, queer, and/or intersex. Individuals with same-sex or same-gender attractions or behaviors and those with a variation in sex characteristics are also included. These populations may also encompass those who do not self-identify with one of these terms but whose sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or biological traits are characterized by non-binary constructs of sexual orientation, gender, and/or sex.
What We Do
- Coordinate SGM health research activities across NIH
- Represent NIH at conferences and events on trans-NIH activities focused on SGM research
- Coordinate and convene conferences and workshops to inform priority setting and research activities
- Collaborate with NIH Institutes and Centers on the development of SGM health research reports
- Manage information dissemination related to SGM research
- Work with NIH Institutes and Centers to leverage resources and develop initiatives to support SGM health research
Strategic Goals
- Advance rigorous research on the health of SGM populations in both the extramural and intramural research communities
- Expand SGM health research by fostering partnerships and collaborations with a strategic array of internal and external stakeholders
- Foster a highly skilled and diverse workforce in SGM health research
- Encourage data collection related to SGM populations in research and the health research workforce
For a complete review of our goals and objectives see the full NIH SGM Research Strategic Plan or the accompanying Strategic Plan Synopsis Handout.
Stay Informed
Subscribe to the SGM Listserv for updates on SGM-related research and other activities.
To contact the Sexual and Gender Minority Research Office, email us at [email protected].
Karen L. Parker, Ph.D., M.S.W.
[email protected]
The Culturally Competent Gender-related Communications (C3) training resource contains an overview of gender-related language, including descriptions of related constructs (such as sex, gender, and gender identity), relevant linguistic issues, and practical examples and recommended practices for engaging in gender-sensitive and -competent communication in interactions with and discussions about professional colleagues, research investigators, administrative staff, coworkers, and people in general.
The SGMRO Scientific Webinar Series was launched in FY 2020 as a platform to promote current and groundbreaking research being conducted by NIH-funded investigators in the field of SGM health. Click here to register for upcoming webinars and to view video recordings of previous webinars.
This report highlights SGM-related research advances and research-related activities at the NIH during Fiscal Year (FY) 2023.