The Life and Times of a Polymath

If you gave a classic Renaissance man a paisley waistcoat and a tortoiseshell cat, that man would look a lot like Kaitlyn S. C. Hatch (AKA “Kait,” any pronouns acceptable). Her polymathy is fuelled in large part by her inability to avoid learning almost anything that takes her interest. The artistic, graphic-designing, wordsmithing wunderkind has received certifications in professional editing, not-for-profit management, graphic & print design, British Sign Language, psychology, and more. Xy completed Buddhist Chaplaincy training at the Upaya Zen Center in 2021 and got an Editor Certification through Mount Royal University in 2023.
Kait was born in a house with no television to mother, Nanny Ogg, and the dad from Calvin & Hobbes. As a child, Kait enjoyed frolicking with wildlife, teaching fellow students about green initiatives, making books out of paper, and creating accessories for action figures out of polymer clay. Their diverse interests have carried over into adulthood – Kait’s many friends know them to be a low-level expert on subjects from fauna and flora to fiction.
As a multi-genre writer, Kait has self-published two books: Wise At Any Age: A Handbook for Cultivating Wisdom in 2013, and Friends We Haven’t Met Yet in 2016, thanks to a crowdfunding campaign. Her long-running blog includes the Lojong Practice Journal, a reflection on the 59 Lojong slogans through the lens of social justice. She also uses the blog to share creative nonfiction pieces, Buddhist philosophy, book reviews, reflections on writing, and the occasional poem. Her Canadian upbringing results in a blending of American and British English that confuses many linguists and grammar purists.
Kait has had pieces published in different corners of the Interwebs, including Huffpost (like everyone and their dog), elephant journal, and Lion’s Roar. She has written a half dozen manuscripts inspired by her longing to see more stories that reflect the neurodivergent, queer, mad people she knows, loves and is also one of.
When not writing, Kait can be found making all the mixed-media art. Xy has dabbled (and more than dabbled) in animation, sculpture, painting, and textiles. Xyr current artistic work is creating contemporary Thangka pieces depicting Buddhas and Bodhisattvas in all different embodiments, and the Sacred Love/Sacred Lives mixed-media series celebrating disabled, trans, and queer folks. Xy also gardens, making xyr both goblincore and climate-conscious.
A love for androgyny and gender-play led Kait to found Fake Mustache, the longest-running drag troupe in Canada, in 2005. Kait also founded the Miscellaneous Youth Network, dedicated to creating safe spaces for QILT2BAG+ youth in his hometown of Calgary, Alberta. His commitment to compassion and community has led him to employment in the not-for-profit sector as a youth worker, fundraiser, project manager, and Brand Development manager.
Theories as to how Kait has amassed so many talents include, but are not limited to, time travel and clones.
Kait’s lifelong goals include challenging allocisheteronormative assumptions in media, dismantling capitalistic standards of productivity, advancing disability justice, and unlearning the racist messages of white supremacy. She has determined that good tea, good food, and good suits are essential to this work.
Kait currently lives on the traditional lands of the Siksika, Kainai, Piikani, and Tsuut'ina Nations with xyr beloved unicorn and xyr cat Delirium, an adorkable tortoiseshell who needs to be hyped up before she can enjoy her dinner.
Kait was born in a house with no television to mother, Nanny Ogg, and the dad from Calvin & Hobbes. As a child, Kait enjoyed frolicking with wildlife, teaching fellow students about green initiatives, making books out of paper, and creating accessories for action figures out of polymer clay. Their diverse interests have carried over into adulthood – Kait’s many friends know them to be a low-level expert on subjects from fauna and flora to fiction.
As a multi-genre writer, Kait has self-published two books: Wise At Any Age: A Handbook for Cultivating Wisdom in 2013, and Friends We Haven’t Met Yet in 2016, thanks to a crowdfunding campaign. Her long-running blog includes the Lojong Practice Journal, a reflection on the 59 Lojong slogans through the lens of social justice. She also uses the blog to share creative nonfiction pieces, Buddhist philosophy, book reviews, reflections on writing, and the occasional poem. Her Canadian upbringing results in a blending of American and British English that confuses many linguists and grammar purists.
Kait has had pieces published in different corners of the Interwebs, including Huffpost (like everyone and their dog), elephant journal, and Lion’s Roar. She has written a half dozen manuscripts inspired by her longing to see more stories that reflect the neurodivergent, queer, mad people she knows, loves and is also one of.
When not writing, Kait can be found making all the mixed-media art. Xy has dabbled (and more than dabbled) in animation, sculpture, painting, and textiles. Xyr current artistic work is creating contemporary Thangka pieces depicting Buddhas and Bodhisattvas in all different embodiments, and the Sacred Love/Sacred Lives mixed-media series celebrating disabled, trans, and queer folks. Xy also gardens, making xyr both goblincore and climate-conscious.
A love for androgyny and gender-play led Kait to found Fake Mustache, the longest-running drag troupe in Canada, in 2005. Kait also founded the Miscellaneous Youth Network, dedicated to creating safe spaces for QILT2BAG+ youth in his hometown of Calgary, Alberta. His commitment to compassion and community has led him to employment in the not-for-profit sector as a youth worker, fundraiser, project manager, and Brand Development manager.
Theories as to how Kait has amassed so many talents include, but are not limited to, time travel and clones.
Kait’s lifelong goals include challenging allocisheteronormative assumptions in media, dismantling capitalistic standards of productivity, advancing disability justice, and unlearning the racist messages of white supremacy. She has determined that good tea, good food, and good suits are essential to this work.
Kait currently lives on the traditional lands of the Siksika, Kainai, Piikani, and Tsuut'ina Nations with xyr beloved unicorn and xyr cat Delirium, an adorkable tortoiseshell who needs to be hyped up before she can enjoy her dinner.
Thank you to Queer Duck Lauren for writing a first draft of this bio with such enthusiasm.
You can learn more about Lauren's many talents on Linkedin.
You can learn more about Lauren's many talents on Linkedin.