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JAMIE ENSLEY
He serves on the board of Georgia Equality and YouthPride, but Jamie Ensley’s probably best known as president of the Georgia Log Cabin Republicans and national secretary of the Log Cabin Republicans. He’s also taken an active role in the fight against Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell by testifying in the federal trial in which Judge Virginia Phillips ruled the policy unconstitutional.
How would you define your role in Atlanta’s LGBT community?
It’s been my privilege to serve as Board Treasurer of Georgia Equality and YouthPride. In addition, I serve as President of the Georgia Log Cabin Republicans and as National Secretary of the Log Cabin Republicans. In July, I testified in Federal Court in Riverside, California at the Don’t Ask Don’t Tell Trial in which Judge Virginia Phillips made a historical ruling and found DADT to be unconstitutional.
It’s also my honor to serve as Vice Chairman of the 75th Atlanta Dogwood Festival. I think the festival exemplifies the character of our city and has been an important part of Atlanta’s history for the last 74 years.
It’s not very often in life that we are given the opportunity to make a difference in other people’s lives, and I have been extremely pleased to have been able to step up when necessary.
What do you forecast for Atlanta’s LGBT community in the next 5 to 10 years?
I predict a growing and progressive LGBT community, which will result in even more economic and political clout.
We learn from all our experiences, both good and bad. Tell us about a negative life experience you’ve had that you learned a valuable lesson from.
I was bullied as a child, but it finally stopped when I filled my Scooby Doo lunchbox full of rocks on the playground, and hit the bully upside the head with it when he tried to bully me again at the bus stop. I ran into him at the Home Depot in my hometown a few years ago and his front tooth is still crooked. I learned that sometimes if you can’t turn the other cheek, you just have to open up a can of whoop ass. However, I’m very pleased that my good friend Republican Rep. Mike Jacobs was instrumental in getting anti-bulling legislation passed in Georgia, so hopefully that will stop other children from getting bullied in the future.
How has being LGBT shaped your outlook on life?
I feel we are living in historic times, and believe that we will all see the day very soon of full LGBT equality.
Tell us a little more about yourself. What are your hobbies? What are your goals?
I’m single and live with my miniature Dotson Elizabeth II. If I’m not traveling for leisure, I’m spending most of my free time volunteering trying to make Atlanta a more pleasant city or advancing equality for LGBT Americans.
If you were stranded on a desert island, what’s the one book you would want with you?
War and Peace. It’s 1,500 pages long, so that should keep me busy for a good while.
