Some of the men were not immediately compelled to political action, but as former Second Sunday Co-Chair Craig Washington described, were seeking a space to talk about “hurt, pain, feeling disenfranchised, sickness, wellness, or relationships.” 

After having participated in Second Sunday, many members were moved to become involved in social justice work, a testament to the inspiring work and leadership of the organization. Experienced community organizers encouraged, trained, and prepared new members to lead discussions.

In this way, the organization’s structure was shared among all members and was directly invested in each member’s participation and growth.

Executive Director of the Counter Narrative Project and Second Sunday participant Charles Stephens  reflected in lifestyle blog, CASSIUS, that Second Sunday came into being in the midst of an important period for culture building and increased levels of creative and political work among Black gay men in Atlanta, beginning in the 1980s and stretching through the 1990s.

Craig Washington similarly reflected on the critical historical moment in which Second Sunday was situated, writing, “by the middle of the ’80s, a new generation of Black gay men’s voices began to flourish. We were writing, publishing work, and building organizations that articulated our realities and placed our footholds on cultural and political landscapes across the country.”

Second Sunday was part of this critical period of social consciousness, education, and identity building for Black gay and bisexual men in Atlanta and other U.S. cities. Many of the gay men who helped shape the era’s institutions were influenced by Black women feminists, such as Audre Lorde, Pat Parker, and Barbara Smith.