Shanna Katz Kattari, PhD 🍉🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍🌈♿️
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drshannak.bsky.social
Shanna Katz Kattari, PhD 🍉🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍🌈♿️
@drshannak.bsky.social
2.5K followers 860 following 710 posts
🏳️‍⚧️they/them
🎓Social Work and WGS prof @ UM
💋Educator | Researcher | Activist
💜Disabled, AuDHD, queer, nonbinary, polyam Jewitchy fat femme
✊🏽Anti oppressive abolitionist
🖤💙❤️Mx. MI Leather Pride ‘22
Free 🇵🇸🇸🇩🇨🇩🇭🇹
🚫 AI
https://linktr.ee/DrShannaK
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drshannak.bsky.social
From her account on FB (text in alt tag).
ID: Yellow background with black text "This is Alice's friend Sandy Ho, posting. Per Alice's wishes, this message is being shared at the time of her passing. Hi everyone, it looks like I ran out of time. I have so many dreams that I wanted to fulfill and plans to create new stories for you. There are a few in progress that might come to fruition in a few years if things work out. I did not ever imagine I would live to this age and end up a writer, editor, activist, and more. As a kid riddled with insecurity and internalized ableism, I could not see a path forward. It was thanks to friendships and some great teachers who believed in me that I was able to fight my way out of miserable situations into a place where I finally felt comfortable in my skin. We need more stories about us and our culture. You all, we all, deserve the everything and more in such a hostile, ableist environment. Our wisdom is incisive and unflinching. I'm honored to be your ancestor and believe disabled oracles like us will light the way to the future. Don't let the bastards grind you down. I love you all."
November 15, 2025 at 6:02 AM
drshannak.bsky.social
I’ve been in two legal marriages with two different wonderful people over the years, as well as have meaningful relationships with my other partners. To me, legal marriage has always been about rights, especially as a disabled person. Ensuring my loves are insured, and can visit me in the hospital.
Photo of two white queers in victorian inspired wedding garb by a stream Two white queers in forest druid vibes smiling on a bridge in the forest
November 7, 2025 at 3:50 PM
drshannak.bsky.social
Honored by the James T Neubacher Award honorable mention for my 2nd time at UM. This award specifically calls out university members who have improved the lives of people with disabilities, and as many of you know, this is a foundation piece of my advocacy professionally and personally.
Photo of screens in a room naming Shanna Katz Kattari in getting the James T Neubacher award honorable mentions
October 30, 2025 at 6:40 PM
drshannak.bsky.social
From our action steps to reduce ableism in social work education panel. 💜
Four white queer and trans academics wearing masks present in a panel format
October 25, 2025 at 12:11 AM
drshannak.bsky.social
1st in person meet up of folks from the Social Work Disability Justice League, here at #CSWE25. It’s been amazing meeting some people in person that I’ve been working with virtually (a super valid way to connect!) for years. Plus a lip reading accessible mask I’m trying.

We are lodgepole pines! 🌲
A large group picture of people with a variety of racial, gender, and disability identities. Many are using access aids. A picture of 5 people, two of whom have access aids, standing and smiling at the camera Selfie of a white nonbinary femme wearing rainbow glasses and a floral dress, wearing a map with space for lip reading with a cute mask chain and dark lipstick
October 24, 2025 at 7:42 PM
drshannak.bsky.social
Council on Disabilities and Persons with Disabilities meeting today to talk accessibility, mentorship, etc at #CSWE25 this AM

Please take our survey for social work PhD students and faculty on ableism and white supremacy culture: cswe.informz.net/z/cjUucD9taT...
Group of social work faculty of various racial identities and disability statuses posing in a conference room
October 23, 2025 at 7:20 PM
drshannak.bsky.social
So begins #CSWE25 with a theme of disability justice and joy. Please mask as a form of community care, and come join me and members of the social work disability justice league at tonight’s opening plenary, 6:30 mnt time in the ballroom.

We take care of us! I’ll be using my red walker; come say hi!
White nonbinary red headed femme with tattoos and glasses poses for the camera
October 23, 2025 at 2:40 PM
drshannak.bsky.social
And it’s back to school for me! Sabbatical from teaching this past year so far, but back to teach Sexuality & Social Work and Social Work Pedagogy. Let’s do this!
white nonbinary femme with tattoos and glasses stands out side with a sign that says “Dr K.’s 31st first day” and wears a dress made up of sexuality images White nonbinary femme with purple glasses and a sex ed dress holds a small vulva puppet
September 2, 2025 at 6:15 PM
drshannak.bsky.social
It’s been a minute. Reminders:

1) fuck generative AI
2) Genocide is happening in Gaza, Sudan, Congo, Tigray, Haiti, and more.
3) COVID isn’t over. Each infection is likely to infect more and more systems
4) Trans people belong (and are) everywhere)
5) Community is everything
6) Cats are the best
Photo of a very very large grey cat lying on his back in a patch of sunshine
September 2, 2025 at 1:57 PM
drshannak.bsky.social
This beautiful image by @transpainter.bsky.social is haunting.
Image of art of many poppy flowers and the text “I wish for you what you wish for Palestine” by TransPainter
June 24, 2025 at 4:28 PM
drshannak.bsky.social
Wishing a meaningful and celebratory Juneteenth to all my comrades.

Ways you can help celebrate as non-Black folks:
8 foot skeleton with a you are loved pride flag and a celebrate Juneteenth 1865 plaque
June 19, 2025 at 9:01 PM
drshannak.bsky.social
Here is me presenting a cunnilingus class at Bookwoman in Austin in 2012. They were SO welcoming and one of the first stores to carry my first book.

Please support them as you are able.
A younger white femme with glasses stands in front of a wall of books and pride related items, wearing a bright blue dress, holding a vulva puppet.
June 18, 2025 at 5:03 AM
drshannak.bsky.social
Oh! I forgot I ran into some queer crip DJ folks too and we got this super cute picture!
A group of 5 white people in various Pride outfits, all wearing masks, poses outdoors in front of orange and white construction barrier signs.
June 7, 2025 at 2:31 AM
drshannak.bsky.social
And ran into my other partner, Emily at Pride because queer, trans, and polyam 🤷🏻‍♀️
White nonbinary femme with glasses, tattooed, and a decorated mask is in a blue top and black leather vest, standing next to a white gender vague person wearing glasses, a tank top and patterned tie, and a blue mask. In front of a moderate crowd at Pride
June 7, 2025 at 1:40 AM
drshannak.bsky.social
Happy Pride/Wrath from Ypsilanti, MI. Check our cute Pride fits, remember that kink and Leather belong here, and of course, mask up! This is my first Pride since the Pandemic(s) started, and I went with my partner Allie.
ID 1: photo of a white nonbinary femme with tattooed, glasses, and a decorated mask, posing with their walking in a crop top, rainbow skirt, and leather vest. ID 2: photo of same femme and a white nonbinary trans masc person with glasses, a black shirt, and red leather suspenders wearing a black mask, posing in front of moderate prid crowd ID 3: rear shot of same femme wearing a black leather vest with rainbow insets that says “Mx. Michigan Leather Pride 2022.” ID 4: photo of same femme inside their home with no mask, sparkly rainbow eyeshadow, red lipstick, and a sassy playful pose to the camera
June 7, 2025 at 1:34 AM
drshannak.bsky.social
MCAS is not my favorite. Everything is itchy & swollen. EVERYTHING (including my esophagus). It’s been FIVE weeks into this flare. My brain has been foggy AF, my joints and hands/feet are so painful, and this headache is killer. Prednisone taper starts today.

It was made MUCH worse by long covid.
Picture of a white redheaded and tattoo nonbinary femme in bed. They are not wearing glasses and stare at the camera with a puffy face.
June 3, 2025 at 4:34 PM
drshannak.bsky.social
My first Pride that I walked in as an out queer person (I identified as bisexual at the time) was 20 years ago this year. I’ve only gotten queerer and more visible, especially now, especially for those who feel like they cannot be.
White nonbinary femme in a black top and black faux fur wrap with rainbow skirt, posing powerfully on their front lawn
June 2, 2025 at 8:58 PM
drshannak.bsky.social
I’ll be talking on this panel in two weeks about the intersection of transness and disability when it comes to health and especially mental health disparities here in Michigan.

It’s free! Come register here: us06web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
Flyer for the closing the gap: addressing health disparities for the LGBTQ+ community hosted virtually on June 12 at 10-12pm with registration link.
May 30, 2025 at 4:51 PM
drshannak.bsky.social
In more fun news, peonies (are starting to) be POPPIN!
Peony bush on the side of a house with some white peony blooms white person’s hand holding a peony that has just opened
May 28, 2025 at 9:31 PM
drshannak.bsky.social
Grey and white cat with pink toes beans
May 24, 2025 at 4:14 AM
drshannak.bsky.social
Are you trans, nonbinary, gender diverse, agender, gender queer, Two-Spirit, a person of trans experience, or another non cisgender identity? Do you live in Michigan? Are you 18 years or older?

If so, please consider taking the 2025 Michigan Trans Health Survey at MITransHealthSurvey.com!
Flyer replicating the text in the post. In colors of the trans flag, with logos from transcend the binary and university of Michigan school of social work
May 20, 2025 at 9:14 PM
drshannak.bsky.social
My partner & I will be vending at this Art for Aid Solidarity market this Saturday, May 10th, at Vertex coffee in Ypsilanti, MI. We will be there 12-3pm selling my prints/their hand crafted leather work. 80% of profits go to food sovereignty charity in Palestine and locally.

Hope to see you there!
A variety of block print pieces and hand made leather journals on a table Flyer for the Michigan Art for Aid solidarity market on May 10th noon to 7pm at Vertex in Ypsilanti
May 5, 2025 at 8:39 PM
drshannak.bsky.social
I’m autistic. Almost everything I have struggled with regarding being autistic is living in a world that doesn’t understand and make space for autistic people. A world that seeks to fix, cure, and eradicate people like me (sound familiar? Similar language is being used around trans folks).
White red headed tattooed femme with glasses and noise canceling headphones is lying on an ice pack
April 17, 2025 at 5:47 PM
drshannak.bsky.social
I am a Jewish, queer, trans/nonbinary grandchild of Holocaust survivors liberated from Auschwitz and Treblinka.

I came home to find this in my mailbox, postmarked from Grand Rapids, about 2.5 hours away.

ID: a swastika made of pride flags.
April 10, 2025 at 5:04 PM
drshannak.bsky.social
Written by a friend who is here on a visa. They asked I share this widely.

TO RETURN

I'm not gonna fight for this country
not gonna fight
to stay
I've already had my other country to fight for
at least eight times
my other country
to retun to
my motherland
my mother's land
my mother
to return to
Close up of an olive branch with the words To Return super imposed over it
April 10, 2025 at 5:00 PM