Broderick is a witness of love and suffering. He is on this rock to help people at critical times in their lives, like marriage, divorce, welcoming new life, or losing a loved one. Simply put, Broderick is love and attributes his essence of being to his close-knit family and supportive friends.

During our conversation, we talked about exploring his sexual orientation, his choice to become ordained in the Episcopal Church, and the special bond that he has with his parents. When I asked Broderick to describe Denver in one word, he shared: Quiet. Here’s what it means to be Broderick in Denver.

What does it mean to be Broderick?

It means taking joy and love very seriously. It means paying attention to the relationships that are very important to me. It means listening to all my emotions, and not just the good ones. It means embracing all of life, the transcendent highs and the difficult lows.

What does it mean to you to be Black in Denver?

To be Black in Denver is to walk into Welton Street Cafe and have one of the owners say, “I see you.” It is to sit at lunch there and smell the familiar scents and hear the familiar words of my upbringing. It is to make eye contact with a Black couple in a public place and nod at one another, acknowledging our shared identity. It is to run into other queer Black folks at a bar and immediately be at home with one another. It is gathering with my Black and brown book club every month and simply breathing together, letting our hair down, and laughing wildly.

What do you love most about living in Denver?

The sunshine.

How have your experiences in Denver shaped you?

It has given me a love of the outdoors that I’ve never had before.