If you've ever been served, welcomed or looked after by Mark, you already know who he is. The same goes for anyone who has lost themselves on a dance floor to one of his sets. For decades he has made people feel at home in Sydney's bars, clubs and queer spaces, often without them realising how much care went into it.

Now it's our turn to look after him.

Mark was recently the victim of a violent home invasion in Marrickville. A man he had never met broke into the home Mark had only just moved into and stabbed him multiple times. Mark has since been through multiple surgeries and has had to be readmitted to hospital due to further complications just days after his initial release. He is facing a long physical recovery. Recovering from being attacked in the one place he should have been safest may take much longer.

What is significant is that Mark's right arm sustained severe injuries as a result of the attack and doctors have told him it will be two years until he regains full use of his hand.

Mark has received so many messages of love and support from all across the world which has truly lifted his spirits, and he thanks every one of you. Mark’s family have also been with him every step of the way but being out of state limits some of the practical support they're able to give him. They are a beautiful and close family but this has hit them all the more deeply as they are grieving the recent loss of their elder brother Tim in a tragic workplace accident.

Mark is the General Manager of the Old Fitzroy Hotel in Woolloomooloo, who have been wonderfully supportive. He lives alone, so not knowing how long it will take for him to be fully physically healed in order to return to his role is stressful. We want to take money off his list of worries for the next few months, including once any leave runs out. Whilst he is grateful to be eligible for some compensation as part of the NSW Victims of Crime program, this won’t cover the extent of the financial impact this event has had on his life, we want him to be able to take the time to recover properly and allow him to return to work when he’s truly ready.

The money you give will help with:

– temporary accommodation and rent

– everyday living costs while he can't work

– medical, counselling and recovery costs

– transport to appointments

– legal expenses

– moving and relocation costs if he decides not to return home

Mark has given a huge amount to Sydney's LGBTQ+ community, as a DJ, a host and a filmmaker. For the past few years he has been making House of Love, a documentary about Sydney's late-1980s gay club scene. It tells the story of the years when house music, Mardi Gras, the gay rights movement and a community living through the AIDS crisis came together and helped shape the city we know today.

He has always been the one holding space for everyone else. Let's hold some for him.

Every contribution helps, whatever the size. If you can't give, sharing this page means just as much.

With love,

Mark's friends