Thunderclouds are amassing near the Library and Archives Canada building in downtown Ottawa, but these clouds bring festivity and contemplation for the unveiling of a new national monument dedicated to the 2SLGBTQ+ community.
Named Thunderhead, the monument stands approximately nine meters tall and features cloud-shaped openings within a white column. Todd Ross, co-chair of the LGBT Purge Fund, described the design as inverted clouds enclosed in the pillar, embellished with mirrored tiles to create a disco ball effect.
Situated close to Wellington Street and the Portage Bridge, Thunderhead symbolizes the hardships faced by the 2SLGBTQ+ individuals in Canada, particularly during the prolonged LGBT purge orchestrated by the government. This discriminatory campaign, spanning from the 1950s to the mid-1990s, led to the investigation and expulsion of numerous individuals from organizations like the RCMP, Canadian Armed Forces, and federal public service due to their sexual orientation.
Ross himself experienced discrimination and was honorably discharged from the Canadian navy in 1990 on the grounds of being “not advantageously employable due to homosexuality.” Subsequently, Ross participated in a class-action lawsuit against the government, with the proceeds financing the construction of the monument.
Designed by a team from Winnipeg led by Liz Wreford of Architects Public City, Thunderhead’s concept revolves around thunderclouds as a representation of both destruction and renewal. The monument’s design allows sunlight to reflect off the mirrored interior, creating a colorful kaleidoscope effect, while internal lights mimic lightning flashes during a storm.
The park surrounding the monument serves as a reminder of the history of anti-2SLGBTQ+ discrimination in Canada. It features an interpretive wall detailing the persecution of two-spirit individuals by the government, along with a healing circle composed of stones selected by two-spirit elders from each province and territory.
Michelle Douglas, executive director of the LGBT Purge Fund, highlights the park as a place for reflection and celebration, emphasizing its role as a beacon of hope. The site aims to serve as a living monument, acknowledging past discrimination while looking towards a more inclusive future.
In addition to the monument, the site includes a stage and areas for events and gatherings. Ross envisions the space as a place for both celebration and activism, where people can convene during challenging times.
The official opening ceremony of Thunderhead will be attended by Gov.-Gen. Louise Arbour, with Capital Pride 2026 festivities commencing the following day and running until August 30.