Thunderclouds are forming near the Library and Archives Canada building in downtown Ottawa, but these clouds are not heralding a storm. Instead, they signify a moment of celebration and contemplation with the unveiling of a new national monument dedicated to the 2SLGBTQ+ community.
Known as Thunderhead, the monument stands tall as a nine-meter white column adorned with cloud-shaped apertures. Todd Ross, co-chair of the LGBT Purge Fund, described the design as featuring inverted clouds within the pillar, enhanced with mirrored tiles to create a disco-like ambiance.
Situated close to Wellington Street and the Portage Bridge, Thunderhead serves as a poignant acknowledgment of the discrimination faced by 2SLGBTQ+ individuals across Canada, particularly during the prolonged government-led campaign known as the LGBT purge.
During this initiative spanning from the 1950s to the mid-1990s, numerous individuals from the RCMP, Canadian Armed Forces, and federal public service were investigated and dismissed due to their sexual orientation. Ross himself experienced an honorable discharge from the Canadian navy in 1990 on grounds of being deemed “not advantageously employable due to homosexuality.”
Subsequently, Ross became a part of a significant class-action lawsuit against the government, with the funds from the lawsuit contributing to the realization of the monument. Designed by a team based in Winnipeg and led by Liz Wreford of Architects Public City, Thunderhead symbolizes both destruction and renewal through its representation of thunderclouds.
The column’s unique structure allows sunlight to illuminate the mirrored interior, creating a dazzling display of colors akin to a kaleidoscope. The flickering lights inside the monument mimic the lightning flashes during a thunderstorm, adding a dynamic element to the design.
The accompanying park serves as an educational space shedding light on the history of anti-2SLGBTQ+ discrimination in Canada. It features a winding path leading to an interpretive wall detailing the past persecution of two-spirit individuals by the government.
Moreover, a healing circle comprising thirteen stones, hand-picked by two-spirit elders from each province and territory, offers a space for reflection and contemplation. Michelle Douglas, executive director of the LGBT Purge Fund, emphasized the park’s role as a beacon of hope and a platform for various emotional experiences.
The site, designed to be a living monument, aims to acknowledge the dark chapters of discrimination while also looking forward to a more inclusive future. It includes a stage and other areas for performances and gatherings, serving as a versatile space for both celebration and activism.
The official opening ceremony of Thunderhead will be attended by Gov.-Gen. Louise Arbour, with the Capital Pride 2026 event commencing the following day and running until August 30.