Dark clouds are gathering near the Library and Archives Canada building in downtown Ottawa, signaling the upcoming unveiling of a new national monument dedicated to the 2SLGBTQ+ community. Named Thunderhead, the monument stands as a striking nine-meter tall white column adorned with cloud-shaped openings. Todd Ross, co-chair of the LGBT Purge Fund, described the unique design as featuring inverted clouds within the pillar, accented with mirrored tiles to create a dazzling disco ball effect.
Situated at the junction of Wellington Street and the Portage Bridge, Thunderhead serves as a symbol of acknowledgment for the discrimination faced by 2SLGBTQ+ individuals across Canada, notably during the prolonged government-led campaign known as the LGBT purge. Spanning from the 1950s to the mid-1990s, this initiative led to the investigation and expulsion of numerous RCMP, Canadian Armed Forces, and federal public service employees based on their sexual orientation.
Ross, who was discharged from the Canadian navy in 1990 due to his homosexuality, later participated in a class-action lawsuit against the government. The proceeds from the lawsuit were allocated towards funding the design and construction of the monument. Designed by Liz Wreford and a team based in Winnipeg, Thunderhead’s concept revolves around thunderclouds as a metaphor for both destruction and renewal.
The monument’s structure, featuring openings and a skylight, allows sunlight to permeate the mirrored interior, creating a vibrant display of colors resembling a kaleidoscope. The flickering lights within the column emulate the flash of lightning during a thunderstorm, adding to the symbolic representation of the monument.
Additionally, the surrounding park aims to shed light on Canada’s history of anti-2SLGBTQ+ discrimination, with an interpretive wall detailing past persecutions and a healing circle comprising thirteen stones chosen by two-spirit elders from each province and territory. Michelle Douglas, executive director of the LGBT Purge Fund, emphasized the park as a space for diverse experiences, from personal reflection to hopeful celebration.
The site also includes amenities such as a stage for performances and gatherings, embodying the vision of a living monument that commemorates past injustices while looking toward a more inclusive future. Ross envisions the monument and park as versatile spaces for both commemoration and activism, providing a platform for community engagement and expression.
The official unveiling ceremony of Thunderhead will be attended by Gov.-Gen. Louise Arbour, with the upcoming Capital Pride 2026 event following the next day until August 30th.