Joseph Torres was a beloved advocate, educator, mentor, and community leader whose life’s work centered on visibility, dignity, and belonging for Indigenous and LGBTQ+ people, especially those who identify as Two-Spirit. He passed away leaving behind a legacy defined by courage, compassion, and an unwavering commitment to helping others stand proudly in their truth.

Joseph proudly served as a Community Advisor and was recently recognized as a 2026 Beacons of the Bay recipient, an honor reflecting the profound impact he had on the communities he served. Yet his influence extended far beyond titles and recognition. Through his storytelling, mentorship, and advocacy, Joseph transformed conversations around identity, history, and representation, ensuring that Indigenous and Two-Spirit voices were never treated as an afterthought within the broader LGBTQ+ community.

Born on April 16, 1965, Joseph Ray Torres was the 11th of 13 children raised by loving parents whose own experiences with racism, assimilation, and mission schools deeply shaped his understanding of identity and resilience. Throughout his life, Joseph worked to reclaim the language, culture, and traditions that colonization had attempted to erase. He carried both pride and pain in that journey, openly speaking about the impact of boarding schools and forced assimilation on Indigenous families and communities.

As a young person growing up in Oneida, Joseph often struggled with feeling like he did not fully belong. He faced racism, bullying, and rejection for being both Indigenous and queer, but even then, he stood firmly in himself. He defended others, challenged injustice, and refused to shrink to make others comfortable. That same fearless spirit would later define his advocacy.

Joseph found transformative meaning in the term “Two-Spirit,” embracing it not only as an identity but as a sacred connection to Indigenous history and community. He dedicated himself to educating others about the rich and often-hidden histories of Two-Spirit people across Native cultures. Through presentations, mentorship, and public speaking, he created space for countless people to better understand themselves and one another.

In recent years, Joseph became widely known for his powerful Two-Spirit presentations throughout Wisconsin and beyond. He mentored students, collaborated with Indigenous and LGBTQ+ organizations, and worked tirelessly to ensure younger generations could see themselves reflected in spaces where they had historically been invisible. He often reminded others to “be your authentic self,” encouraging people to seek community, embrace who they are, and know they mattered.

Joseph graduated from the University of Wisconsin–Green Bay in 2023 as a proud first-generation college student, fulfilling a lifelong goal. During his time there, he served as a Pride Center intern and First Nations Education intern, supporting and mentoring students while continuing to develop educational programming around Two-Spirit identity and Indigenous queer history.

For many, Joseph’s visibility carried deeply personal meaning. As one fellow Two-Spirit community member shared, seeing Joseph so boldly embrace the intersection of Indigeneity and queerness helped others better understand and reclaim those same intersections within themselves. In a world where Two-Spirit people are too often unseen or misunderstood, Joseph stood proudly and unapologetically in his truth, helping light the path for others to do the same.

Joseph’s legacy lives on in every conversation he changed, every student he inspired, every person he empowered, and every space he helped make more inclusive. His presence, wisdom, humor, and authenticity will be profoundly missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him.

He is remembered not only as an advocate, but as a beacon for others, and as someone who reminded people that identity is not something to hide, but something to honor.

May his memory continue to guide and inspire future generations.