After much reflection, I am putting this out in the world. Please take a moment to read. Thank you.

June 13 2024

As many of you know, Sharkie’s and I had a run in during the Pride weekend with hateful speech targeting me and my business.

This was difficult for me to deal with but the outpouring of support I received as a result was a true eye opener of how strong our community is and how much support exists. 

After much soul searching, I have realized there must be more that I can do.  I have lived my life as an out gay man.  Everyone who knows me knows who I am and what I stand for.  My business, on the other hand, has shied away from getting involved.  Now I realize this has been wrong.  I want to create a place of support and of safety for myself, my community and those who support us.  Therefore, starting now, Sharkie’s is an out and proud gay owned business that will continue to strive to do good for the people who support it.  Regardless of how you identify, Sharkie’s is that place where you can come in and feel seen.  Come and have your correct pronouns used, come and feel not alone.  Come when you need help, whatever help that may be.  If you just need someone to talk to, come in. If you are in danger, we will help you.  Everyone is welcome and all will be celebrated for who you are and how you live your life.

As I continue to figure this out, I will be hosting events for our community and its allies.  I will be sponsoring organizations and events that are focused on doing good for our friends and families.  I will do more!

For those of you out there who are feeling alone, lost, or questioning who you are, and for those of you who do not understand why I am doing this, here is my story.

Growing up, I always knew I was different.  From the earliest memories I have, I knew I was not like the other kids.  While I was raised in an incredibly supportive and loving family with amazing parents and brothers, I still layed in bed at night praying to whatever god existed to make me “normal”. I wanted to be like everyone else because I believed who I was was wrong and that something was wrong with me.  I recall sad moments as a child where I even thought how better things would be if I wasn’t around anymore. I came out when I was a young 16 year old.  I had the luxury of being able to do that with my family. Not everyone has that support. As an adult, even to this day, there still is a nagging fear in the back of my mind when I meet someone, that they will not accept me as gay, and so I hide it.  

I am doing this now, for all those kids out there, for all of those adults out there, for all of those individuals out there who have or have had similar feelings and want, no need a place to go to without having that fear of not being accepted.

I truly hope that everyone who is reading this, hears my voice and understands how the community I am in, while having made  huge progress, still has a lot of work to do to be accepted. 

Please stay tuned for more as I figure this all out.

With much love and appreciation for all of you,

Mark Rosenberg, Owner, Sharkie’s