Thunderclouds are forming near the Library and Archives Canada building in downtown Ottawa, but rather than signifying a storm, these clouds symbolize a new national monument honoring the 2SLGBTQ+ community.
The monument, named Thunderhead, 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 by mirrored tiles, creating a disco ball effect.
Situated close to Wellington Street and the Portage Bridge, Thunderhead serves as a tribute to the discrimination faced by 2SLGBTQ+ individuals across Canada, notably during the lengthy government campaign known as the LGBT purge. This initiative, spanning from the 1950s to the mid-1990s, saw thousands expelled from the RCMP, Canadian Armed Forces, and federal public service due to their sexual orientation.
Ross, a former Canadian navy member discharged in 1990 due to his sexuality, later joined a lawsuit against the government. The proceeds from this legal action were utilized to fund the development and construction of the monument.
The monument’s design, led by Liz Wreford of Architects Public City in Winnipeg, uses the metaphor of thunderclouds to symbolize destruction and renewal. The column’s skylight and openings allow sunlight to enter, creating a colorful kaleidoscope effect, while internal lights replicate lightning flashes during a storm.
The surrounding park complements the monument by shedding light on Canada’s history of anti-2SLGBTQ+ discrimination. An interpretive wall narrates this history, including the persecution of two-spirit individuals. Additionally, a healing circle comprised of thirteen stones selected by two-spirit elders from each province and territory is present.
Describing the park as a place for reflection and celebration, Michelle Douglas, executive director of the LGBT Purge Fund, emphasized its significance as a symbol of hope. Similar to Ross, Douglas was discharged from the Armed Forces in 1989 and later reached a settlement with the government, effectively ending the military purge.
The site aims to be a living monument, acknowledging past discrimination while looking towards the future. It features a stage and spaces for gatherings and performances, serving as a multifunctional area for both celebration and activism.
The official opening ceremony of Thunderhead will be attended by Gov.-Gen. Louise Arbour, with Capital Pride 2026 launching the following day and continuing until August 30.