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Photo courtesy ProjectQAtlanta.com
TIM CAIRL
He describes his role in our community as “just a mere activist” but Tim Cairl has taken a vital role in several successful political campaigns involving gay or gay-friendly candidates over the last several years, including Simone Bell’s run for State House and Jason Carter’s run for State Senate. He’s currently chair of the board of the Atlanta Stonewall Democrats and after finishing graduate school he plans on going full time into public service.
How would you define your role in Atlanta’s LGBT community?
Just a mere activist. I like to try to tie together components of the activist community from Politics to LGBT Rights to Transgender Rights—we’re all in a monolithic struggle to have our voices and concerns heard and we are stronger together.
What do you forecast for Atlanta’s LGBT community in the next 5 to 10 years?
A defensive battle on most fronts, but serious gains can be made on issues of safety and local benefits at the city and county level. I expect a number of the new state-level government officials coming into office due to the Census results which will be more LGBT friendly than in the past 10 years.
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.
Coming out in college I was forced into a cognitive therapy program with a counselor and group therapy. Luckily my counselor had a human heart and actually tried to help me quite a bit, but the experience was terrifying. I knew no one who was gay and the school threatened to tell my parents and kick me out if I didn’t enroll in the program.
How has being LGBT shaped your outlook on life?
Opened my eyes to a whole other world that most of the majority of Americans never sees—those who live in the shadows, those who work tirelessly day-to-day for other people, and the amazing and wonderful kaleidoscope that is our great city.
Tell us a little more about yourself. What are your hobbies? What are your goals?
I’m an Olympics addict, so every four years and the world games in-between keep me completely entertained. I love the outdoors and traveling as well.
My goals are to finish graduate school, go full-time into public service and continue to work on campaigns and be active in the Atlanta progressive communities.
If you were stranded on a desert island, what’s the one book you would want with you?
My Bible.
