Love's Day a Valentine tradition for MCC
QSanAntonio.com, January 21, 2012

When the Metropolitan Community Church of San Antonio holds the annual Love's Day Dinner and Dance this year, it will be following in a tradition started years ago by now deceased activist Jim Isaman.

Isaman, who died in 2009, was the originator of the Love's Day tradition, which in years past included a Valentine’s Day commitment ceremony for same sex couples on the steps of the County Courthouse. After his death, MCC took over the dinner and dance and since 2009 has hosted the event as its major fundraiser of the year.

MCC Pastor Mick Hinson says that before his death Isaman expressed to Santos Campos, his former partner and best friend, that he wanted the banquet to continue as a fundraiser for the church.

Rev. Hinson told QSanAntonio that church leaders were eager to continue the event. "MCC has lacked a signature fundraising event and the Love’s Day Banquet is the perfect vehicle," he said.

MCC S.A. Pastor Mick Hinson with his husband Gene Skelton Hinson at the 2009 Love's Day Dinner and Dance. Photo by Antonia Padilla

Isaman, who died from complications from AIDS died on May 21, 2009, was a fervent GLBT activist who was involved in over a dozen community groups including the board of the building committee for the Esperanza Peace and Justice Center. In 1999 he was awarded the Black Tie Dinner Community Service Award by the Human Rights Campaign. (See obituary below.)

Rev. Hinson says that the event, scheduled for February 4, 2012, has been scaled back to just a dinner and MCC fundraiser. "Moving forward we will expand the event to include more components. We just want to recall Jim’s memory and fulfill his wish that this event continue after his passing."

The Metropolitan Community Church of San Antonio presents the third annual Love's Day Dinner and Dance. Saturday, February 4, from 7 p.m. to midnight at the Airport Hilton, 611 NW Loop 410. Cash bar. Dress code: Semi-formal. $50 per person. For tickets contact: Mauro Vela, 210-241-9819, mvela35@gmail.com.

Local GLBT activist Jim Isaman dies
QSanAntonio.com, May 25, 2009

James Wesley "Jim" Isaman was born in Melbourn, Florida on Mar. 30, 1962. He died on May 21, 2009 in San Antonio, Texas.

Isaman graduated from John Marshall High School in San Antonio in 1980. After high school he attended the University of Texas at San Antonio where he studied architecture, with a special interest in preservation and civic design.

In 1987, Isaman helped found the Lambda Students at UTSA and the San Antonio Lambda Students Alliance. His philosophy toward activism was embodied when he said, "The most important thing we can share with our next generation is our belief each of us has something immeasurable value to contribute to the world, and that this belief sustains all our hopes for the future."

During the decade that followed, Isaman was involved in over a dozen community groups including the board of the building committee for the Esperanza Peace and Justice Center. In 1999 he was awarded the Black Tie Dinner Community Service Award by the Human Rights Campaign.

In 2000, Isaman organized the 11th Annual Student Soiree and launched a fundraising campaign called the San Antonio Youth Delegation to send students to the Millennium March on Washington that year.