"My hands are trembling… my whole body is tied up in knots." says Tiffani Middlesexx as she announced that she will be retiring from Drag.

This announcement came early-afternoon on October 31, 2011 via her facebook page. Her departure from the Entertainment Community in Tampa Bay will be greatly missed; however she has agreed to continue her Annual Benefit work with M.C.C. Tampa, "for another year anyway…", she laughs in her post. The 62 year old performer was going to wait until her 63rd Birthday (on November 18, 2011) to make the announcement, but as she stated in her post," I didn't want to spoil such a blessed occasion."

Here is a little history on this Tampa Drag Performer. Tiffani has been performing in the Tampa Area since 1978, but she has been entertaining people from all around for 47 years! In her post, she gives us a brief view of her travels and the places she called home around the US. Her hometown Toledo, Ohio is host to her "first drag contest at the age of 15…" and she WON. She moved a lot throughout her younger years, "Detroit, Houston, Dallas, Atlanta, which I (r)early loved, and Cleveland," she says, before coming to Tampa. She looks back and remembers that, "I couldn't believe I was swimming on Christmas day that year."

Tiffani says that, "it has been a phenomenal rollercoaster ride, but I wouldn't change one day of it." She shares some of these memories as she is looking back. "Rocco's Twilight Zone show bar to Joe Wicks' CAMELOT…" to her outfits in the late 60's and early 70's when she wore "this big peace sign right in the middle of my long black hair." Following that she says, "Those were the days…"

One thing that stands out above all is how grateful Tiffani is to her community. This is reflected when you read her last few lines on facebook post where she says, "my eyes are watering again so that's my cue to say to all my many friends, supporters and to my congregation the lifts my spirits every Sunday. I LOVE YOU ALL AND THANK YOU FOR THE BEST 47 YRS OF MY LIFE. GOD BLESS YOU AND I LOVE YOU ALL SO VERY DEEPLY."

Mark your calendars for November 18, 2011 and join Tiffani Middlesexx in her Final Farewell. The event will take place at Bradley's On Seventh with two performances 11:30pm and 1:15am. We hope to see you there.

Congrats on your retirement Tiffani from your friends at TampaBayGay.com

-Dave Borman - Editor/Writer