The
Tampa Bay Area mourns the loss of a Legend.
Tiffani Middlesexx aka Gerald Mayes passed away on January 11,
2022
On January 11, 2022 many of us woke to the news that our beloved
Tiffani Middlesexx (aka Gerald Mayes) had passed away. Social
Media has been flooding with pictures and memories shared with
the Legend. Below we have included her Retirement Announcement,
Video of her Retirement FINAL Performance and our interview with
the Tampa Icon.
Here is a little history on this Tampa Drag Performer. Tiffani
had performed in the Tampa Area since 1978, but she has been entertaining
people from all around for over 47 years! In her post at retirement
(2011), 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)ealy 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."
In the interview back in 2011, we asked; what was her most treasured
moment in the 47 years of doing Drag. Tiffani says, "…(it) was
when my mother tipped me during a show for the first time." What
about her most memorable performance? I asked her to share the
one that tugged at all her emotions, and she said, "…that's a
hard one, I think that would have to be my ''FAREWELL'' performance
at Bradley's'. I was shaking so much with the emotion of the evening.
At one point it looked like the entire club was in tears. At that
moment I knew I WAS LOVED..." Tiffani is right; she is loved.
As we moved forward with our lives in 2011, so did a wonderful
performer/entertainer that hung up her dress and high heels for
life with a little slower pace. In her retirement she would go
on to volunteer at her Church, spend time with her Daughter Esme
Russell, continued being a mentor to those in need, and popping
up every so often to do Charity work as Tiffani. Then on November
20, 2021, Tiffani would once again put on her red dress and hit
the stage at Bradley's for her 10th Anniversary Retirement Performance.
She put out a performance that we will never forget.
In January of 2022, just eleven years after she retired, she gained
a pair of wings and Heaven gained another angel. Thank you, Tiffani
Middlesexx, for your dedication and unconditional love for the
Tampa Bay Gay community. You are a leader and inspiration for
all and you will be greatly missed!
|
