When Hurricane Fiona made landfall in Puerto Rico in September, mere weeks before the U.S. Conference on HIV/AIDS (USCHA), it seemed that the long-awaited confab might have to go virtual for a third year in a row. But after much thought, the host committee and NMAC, which produces the event, decided to forge ahead. And from the looks of it, there were zero regrets.

In addition to helping support the local economy with dollars spent at bars, restaurants and shops in San Juan—not to mention at the host venue, the Puerto Rico Convention Center—attendees also supported Puerto Rican HIV advocates with their presence, sharing knowledge, resources and, for the first time in years, in-person smiles and hugs. (For more about USCHA, go to Voices on pages 10 and 12.)

Damon Jacobs, Lillibeth Gonzalez and Dázon Dixon Diallo

PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) educator Damon Jacobs was all smiles as he posed with two of his favorite sheroes: advocates Lillibeth Gonzalez of GMHC and Dázon Dixon Diallo, founder and president of SisterLove, Inc.Damon Jacobs/Instagram

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