Meet Salutaris – The NIH Sexual and Gender Minority Employee Resource Group
Nearly 40 years ago, NIH staff founded the employee resource group Salutaris, which means “healthful or health-giving,” to promote health and inclusivity for the LGBTQIA+ community. Salutaris currently has more than 200 NIH colleagues on its listserv united in a shared commitment to create a safe and inclusive workplace environment for everyone, including those who identify as sexual and gender minority (SGM) employees.
Salutaris seeks to:
Provide a forum for SGM populations, including LGBTQIA+ staff, to meet, network, and discuss important issues to the NIH community.
Offer guidance and recommendations to NIH on matters affecting the welfare of SGM employees through collaboration with the NIH Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) and other institutes, centers, and offices.
Assist NIH leadership in fostering a workplace environment that is accepting and supportive.
Coordinate meetings, organize social activities, and sponsor educational programs related to SGM populations and open to the NIH community.
Act as a resource regarding SGM issues for the NIH community at large.
Salutaris members include SGM staff, including those who identify as LGBTQIA+, as well as our allies. We strive to be fully inclusive of our NIH community and offer a safe and supportive space. Salutaris members vote annually to elect an executive committee of five members who serve a one-year term.
Salutaris is available as a resource to assist anyone in the NIH community, and all are welcome to join our activities. Join us at our meetings and monthly lunches where we highlight different members through our “Getting to Know You” series. Salutaris hosts social events and educational sessions on and off the NIH campus as well as opportunities to meet with special interest groups such as the Capital Pride Alliance.
Explore past coverage from the NIH Record to learn how Salutaris members have improved visibility and safety for the NIH SGM community:
Membership is open to all NIH staff, investigators, trainees, contractors, and fellows who identify with or are allied with SGM communities. Salutaris meetings are held on the third Thursday of the month from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. ET on Zoom. For more information about Salutaris subscribe via the NIH listserv or email the group at Salutaris@nih.gov.
Do you have a story idea for us? Do you want to submit a guest blog? If it's about equity, diversity, or inclusion, please submit to edi.stories@nih.gov.
For news, updates, and videos, subscribe or follow EDI on LinkedIn, X, EDI Blog, or YouTube.