Thunderclouds loom near the Library and Archives Canada structure in downtown Ottawa, set to bring a new national 2SLGBTQ+ monument named Thunderhead to life. This monument, a towering white column adorned with cloud-shaped openings, stands at about nine meters tall. Todd Ross from the LGBT Purge Fund explained that the interior of the column features inverted clouds and mirrored tiles for a disco ball effect.
Located close to Wellington Street and the Portage Bridge, Thunderhead symbolizes the struggles faced by the 2SLGBTQ+ community in Canada, particularly during the government’s prolonged LGBT purge era from the 1950s to the mid-1990s. Ross, a navy veteran discharged in 1990 due to his sexuality, later participated in a lawsuit against the government, with the lawsuit’s funds contributing to the monument’s creation.
The design team, led by Liz Wreford of Architects Public City, conceptualized Thunderhead as a representation of destruction and renewal using thunderclouds as a metaphor. The monument’s structure allows sunlight to reflect inside, creating a colorful kaleidoscope effect, while flickering lights mimic lightning flashes during a storm.
The accompanying park sheds light on the history of discrimination against the 2SLGBTQ+ community in Canada. A winding path leads to an interpretive wall detailing the past persecutions, including the mistreatment of two-spirit individuals. Additionally, a healing circle composed of thirteen stones selected by two-spirit elders from each province and territory is present nearby.
Michelle Douglas, the executive director of the LGBT Purge Fund, envisions the park as a beacon of hope where visitors can reflect on their experiences. The site aims to serve as a living monument, acknowledging past discrimination while looking toward the future. It includes spaces for performances and gatherings, designed to be utilized for both celebrations and protests.
The official opening ceremony of Thunderhead, attended by Gov.-Gen. Louise Arbour, will take place on Friday, coinciding with the start of Capital Pride 2026, running until August 30.
