Thunderclouds are forming near the Library and Archives Canada building in downtown Ottawa, but these clouds bring about celebration and contemplation for a new national monument dedicated to the 2SLGBTQ+ community.
Known as Thunderhead, the monument stands as a striking nine-meter white column with rounded cloud-shaped openings. Todd Ross, co-chair of the LGBT Purge Fund, described the monument as featuring inverted clouds within the pillar, adorned with mirrored tiles to create a disco ball effect.
Situated close to Wellington Street and the Portage Bridge, Thunderhead acknowledges the discrimination faced by 2SLGBTQ+ individuals across the country, especially during the Canadian government’s prolonged campaign known as the LGBT purge, which spanned from the 1950s to the mid-1990s.
Ross, who was discharged from the Canadian navy in 1990 due to his sexuality, later took part in a class-action lawsuit against the government, with the lawsuit’s proceeds contributing to the funding of the monument’s design and construction.
The concept of Thunderhead was brought to life by a Winnipeg-based team led by Liz Wreford of Architects Public City. Wreford explained that the thunderclouds symbolize both destruction and renewal, with the monument designed to capture sunlight through its openings and skylight, creating a colorful kaleidoscope effect. Inside the column, flickering lights simulate the flash of lightning during a thunderstorm.
The surrounding park complements the monument by shedding light on the history of anti-2SLGBTQ+ discrimination in Canada. A winding path leads to an interpretive wall detailing this history, including the persecution of two-spirit individuals by the government. Nearby, a healing circle made of thirteen stones selected by two-spirit elders from each province and territory stands as a poignant reminder of the past.
Michelle Douglas, executive director of the LGBT Purge Fund and a former Armed Forces member, sees the park as a place for varied experiences and emotions, describing it as a beacon of hope. The site aims to serve as a living monument, acknowledging past discrimination while looking towards a more inclusive future.
The park’s design incorporates a stage and other areas for gatherings and performances, providing a space for both celebration and advocacy. Ross envisions the monument and park as a venue for people to come together during challenging times, emphasizing its versatility and significance.
The official opening ceremony of Thunderhead will be attended by Gov.-Gen. Louise Arbour, with Capital Pride 2026 event following the next day until August 30.
