While I am always open to customizing workshops and presentations for each and every client, I do have some existing workshops around social justice, identity, and sexualities that are incredibly popular and frequently requested. Here are some of them:
Death by a Thousand Papercuts: Understanding and Engaging Microaggressions
“But you speak so well for a _____!” Everyone of us has experienced something said to us, or an interaction focused on us and at least one of our identities, that has made us pause and say “ouch!” internally. These small, often unintentional interactions are a form of discrimination called microaggressions, and research has shown that these small injustices can add up, and result in poorer mental health, lower self-esteem, and overall negative outcomes. That said, because of their implicit nature, we ALL are capable of microaggressing others at some point, whether we realize it or not. Participants in this workshop will talk about what microaggressions are, how they are connected to unconscious bias, what to do when we mess up and perpetuate a microaggression, and how to better engage microaggressions in the workplace, the classroom, and the world at large. (Can be offered as a short introduction, or a longer workshop/two part series)
Alphabet Soup: Intro to LGBTQIA2S+
In the past decade alone, the term LGBT has turned into LGBTQIA2S+ and more, not to mention that the term queer has made a comeback as it is reclaimed by some in the community. Moreover, terms such as genderqueer, agender, non-binary/enby and more have joined trans(gender). What do all these letters mean, why are they relevant, and how can individuals, schools, organizations and companies support this ever growing community? This workshop covers all of this and more, from definitions and etymology of words to ways that you can integrate diversity inclusion practices in your day to day life. (can be geared towards schools/teachers, counselors/therapists, camps, universities, businesses, non-profits, etc.)
Treating Equally: LGBTQIA2S+ Inclusivity in Healthcare
Doctors, nurses, psychologists, physical therapists, front office staff, and everyone else in the medical field interact with members of the LGBTQIA+ community on a regular basis, yet members of this community are more likely to be refused health care, be blamed for their medical issues due to their identities, and often choose to avoid health care settings due to these issues. Dr. Kattari offers this workshop on how to make health care settings more inclusive, providing training on the language relating to the LGBTQIA+ community, and help medical professionals optimize their workplaces into somewhere welcoming to all those needing health care. (Can be done for medical professionals in general, or specifically geared toward reproductive health care, STI treatment, counseling, therapy, and more).
Praxis of Inclusion: Be the Change
This workshop examines how we as individuals can construct more dynamic, innovative and social justice focused approaches to inclusion. Learners will discuss how praxis, or turning theory into action, impacts our roles as leaders committed to social justice and raising awareness in our communities. Participants in this workshop will explore the pedagogy of privilege and how we can be the change in dismantling systems of oppression.
Disability and Ableism 101
Over 20% of the U.S. population identifies has having one or more disabilities or impairments according to the 2010 U.S. Census, yet people with disabilities and those who identify as disabled are often left out of conversations around diversity and inclusion. This workshop will cover some of the history of language used by and about this community, what ableism is (as well as able-bodied/neurotpyical privilege), ways to dismantle these types of oppression so ingrained in various systems, and ways that to create more inclusive programs, conferences, classrooms, offices, and health care to ensure that all members of this community are able to engage. Participants will learn about ways ableism has been historically used to oppress disabled bodies, what ableist microaggressions are (and ways to interrupt/engage them), discuss the concept of universal design (including universal learning design), create action items to leverage their own privilege, and more. Learners will also get the opportunity to ask questions and workshop current concerns.
Check Yourself: Recognizing Privilege in A Sex Ed Context
Race, class, ability, gender, orientation and other identities can significantly impact access to sex education, contraception, reproductive health care and more. This workshop examines how we as individuals can construct more dynamic, innovative and social justice focused approaches to inclusion in sexuality education. We’ll be discussing how to turn theory into action, impacting our roles as educators committed to exploring our privileges and increasing our awareness of systems of oppression.
Supporting Disabled, Neurodivergent, and Chronically Ill Students: Making Student Services and Student Affairs More Inclusive
Our schools and universities host a variety of students with disabilities, and yet, we are often inaccessible in a variety of ways, from lack of captioning and interpreters to challenges in accessing accommodations, harmful classroom policies to a lack of space for disabled students to find one another and connect. This talk is designed for education staff across unites roles to start thinking about how they can make their learning spaces more inclusive and affirming for a diverse group of bodyminds.
One Size Doesn’t Fit All: Identities and Intersections
Most of us have more than one identity we use for ourselves; our age, race, ability level, religion, sex, gender, orientation, etc. Moreover, we also have different identities depending on who we’re around. Add to that the different roles we fulfill in our communities, and sometimes it’s hard to keep it all straight. How do we decide how we identify, how to we figure out other peoples’ identities, and how to we choose our roles? This workshop will involve much discussion and conversation about our place in our community, how to communicate our identities, and how to learn about and validate the identities of others.
“I’m not ableist; that’s crazy!”: Engaging Ableism and Disability in Inaccessible Education
For disabled and chronically ill students, staff, and faculty, simply existing in academic settings can be exhausting. Hoops to jump through to get accommodations, well intentioned colleagues who just don’t understand access, and a barrage of ableist microaggressions face those with disabilities who enter the Academy. Moreover, in talks of diversity and social justice, disability is often a footnote, if it is even included at all. Dr. Kattari will discuss some of the biggest challenges regarding ableism in higher education, while also offering some suggestions on how to begin disability justice work and be a better accomplice to disabled peers and colleagues.
“It’s like running a cheese grater over my soul”: Disability, Ableism, and Weight Stigma in Healthcare Although approximately a quarter of individuals live with one or more disabilities or impairments, the concepts of disability and ableism are rarely engaged in health care settings. Many disabled and chronically ill individuals have experienced discrimination or lack of support from health care professionals, making them less likely to seek out care in the future, creating a vicious cycle. This talk will explore some of these challenges, as well as ways health care professionals can better support and meet the need of this population.
Arts Based Research Methods
Arts based methodologies can support researchers in conducting meaningful qualitative research that uses photography, poetic inquiry, storytelling and more. We will spend our time exploring different methods, from photovoice to digital narratives, dancing to creative writing, as well as thinking about recruitment, triangulation, ethics, challenges, and presenting research findings both in academic and community settings. Be prepared to think creatively about approaching research, and to share some of your experiences.
Sexuality Focused Presentations (additional selections available by request)
Making Safer Sex Sexy
Ideal for anyone who would like to get a good idea of how to practice safer sexual activities in the sexiest way possible. Includes discussion of barriers, contraception, birth control, abstinence, where to obtain these methods, who can/should use which, how to talk to your partner(s) and your doctor, and more. Unlike many safer sex talks, this includes conversation on how to use safer sex in LGBTQIA+ relationships, BDSM/kink relationships, and extensive discussion on risk-awareness as it relates to actually using safer sex practices. This safer sex workshop can be geared towards youth/those under 18 as needed.
Safer Sex For Trans Folks and Their Partners
Safer sex is a very large realm, that often only covers pregnancy prevention and STIs in relation to heterosexual, cisgender PIV intercourse. When different genders, orientations and sexual activities come into play, many people get left out of the safer sex conversation. This workshop will talk about different names we give anatomy, what materials are useful regarding safer sex with a trans partner, how to discuss safer sex, what to use in a pinch, and how safer sex can play a role in keeping yourself and you partner(s) healthy. This safer sex workshop can be geared towards youth/those under 18 as needed.
Sexual Ability: Disability Aware Sex Education
With the judgments placed on people with disabilities by our culture, as well as the many inaccessible spaces, many youth with disabilities are left out of important conversations about sexuality education, communication in relationships, birth control/barrier methods and more. This workshop looks at systemic issues of ableism in our culture, as well as ways to create more accessible spaces to provide sex education to youth with disabilities, in addition to working to re-frame how we view and interact with people with disabilities.
Sexy Spoonies and Crip Sex: Exploring Sexuality and Disability
Over a quarter of adults identify as having a disability, impairment, or chronic illness, and many others will experience this short term, or as they age. While society often perpetuates the ableist idea that disabled individuals and people with impairments are simply not sexual, nothing could be further from reality. This workshop is both discussion and info-based, covering issues around the intersection of disability and sexuality, such as coming out to/discussing a disabled identity with a partner(s), how to discuss disability needs around sex (including sex toys, working with PCAs, etc.), new things to try and creative ways to so, use of sex workers and sex surrogates, correct and accurate terminology, negotiating sex play (including kink/BDSM play), and other topics on this subject. For disabled and chronically folks, those who love them, and human service professionals, 18+
More Than 50 Shade: BDSM and Kink Basics
Ever wonder what all those letters stood for? Learn about the basics of kink play, how consent is discussed and negotiated, the difference between all the terms, and what it means to be in a 24-7 relationship. Understand the differences between fantasy (like 50 Shades of Grey) and reality, and how to support your clients/patients in their kink practices. Whether you’re looking to learn something new, or just to add some knowledge to support your therapeutic or medical practice, this is a great overview for anyone 18+.
Three isn’t Company: Ethical Non-Monogamy and Polyamory 101
A basic training on the basic types of ethically non-monogamous relationships that people have in their lives, how to support individuals in discussing these with frameworks with clients, and more. We’ll talk about polyamory/non-monogamy – various facets, how to get into it, and most importantly, how to help make it work when there are more than two people involved. Topics of jealousy, compersion, communication, and more will be covered. Geared towards counselors, therapists, and/or medical professionals to help learn how to support clients, 18+.
Shanna K. Kattari 