Joey Hensley holds an associate's degree from Columbia State Community College, a bachelor's degree from the University of Memphis, and a medical degree from the University of Tennessee-Memphis. He has spent significant time in the public sector, marked by notable legislative initiatives. Hensley has introduced various bills, some of which were unsuccessful, while others were enacted into law. His professional background and legislative efforts reflect a focus on education, family, and social issues, as well as legal and civil rights.

Joey Hensley's political identity is marked by a rigid adherence to traditional social values, often clashing with progressive movements. His legislative initiatives, such as the "Don't Say Gay" bill and the classification of children born through artificial insemination as illegitimate, reveal a deeply conservative stance on family and social issues. Hensley's support for allowing counselors to refuse services based on religious beliefs underscores his alignment with certain fundamentalist perspectives. Despite these positions, his personal life, including multiple divorces and controversial relationships, presents a complex and often contradictory public persona.