Horizon House Blog

Each month, we ask a new staff member to tell us random facts about themselves. It’s a quick and easy way to get to know a bit more about what’s beyond the face. This month, we feature Shay Boardman, who focuses on Resident Communications.

1. When did you first come to Horizon House?

I started at Horizon House in January 2018.

2. What drew you to Horizon House?

Initially (before I started working at Horizon House), I was drawn to the opportunity to combine my interpersonal and professional skills (most notably communications and service) in an environment where I would also get to work with seniors on a daily basis. After working here for almost 13 months, I can say with confidence that the biggest things that make me most excited about working at Horizon House are the residents, the staff, and the collective, vibrant community that is built and nurtured by everyone. It’s not just work for me; it’s home.

3. Where do you currently live and where is your hometown?

I currently live in the University District, in a modest studio apartment. I grew up in Bellingham, which is still one of my favorite places to go.

4. What do you like to do when you are “outside of The House” (on days off, etc.)? 

Outside of “The House,” I sing in two LGBTQ choruses: the Seattle Women’s Chorus (SWC) and Puget Soundworks (PSW). I’ve been in SWC for more than four years, and I just recently joined PSW.

I also love taking care of my two fur-babies: my dog Casper and my cat Alexander Hamilton. Casper is a 13-pound white and tan Chihuahua Jack Russell mix with a lot of personality and plenty of love to give, and Alexander is an orange and white Domestic Mediumhair tabby at just under eight pounds who is very chatty and loves to play. I also enjoy thrift shopping, restauranteering, experimenting with fashion, hair, and makeup, knitting, and spending time with my partners and friends.

5. What is something interesting about yourself that no one at Horizon House may know?

Many residents and staff already know that I’m part of the LGBTQ community as an openly bisexual person, but many may not yet know that I am also nonbinary transgender. This means that I do not identify with the gender that I was assigned at birth; I am not a woman or a man, but rather experience and express my gender outside of that binary. To that end, my pronouns are they/them/theirs/themself! For example, if I am on a lunch break and someone asks you where I am, you would say: “They are on their lunch break.” Let me know if you have any questions or want to talk about any of this with me!