A new national monument called Thunderhead, dedicated to the 2SLGBTQ+ community, has been unveiled near the Library and Archives Canada building in downtown Ottawa. The monument, a nine-meter white column with cloud-shaped openings, symbolizes celebration and reflection rather than stormy weather.
Todd Ross, co-chair of the LGBT Purge Fund, described Thunderhead as a unique structure featuring inverted clouds inside the pillar lined with mirrored tiles, creating a disco ball effect. The monument aims to acknowledge the discrimination faced by the 2SLGBTQ+ community, particularly during the Canadian government’s decades-long campaign known as the LGBT purge, which saw thousands of individuals expelled from various sectors due to their sexuality.
Ross, a former Canadian navy member honorably discharged in 1990 for his sexuality, played a role in a class-action lawsuit against the government. The proceeds from the lawsuit funded the design and construction of the Thunderhead monument and its surrounding park located near Wellington Street and the Portage Bridge intersection.
Designed by a team led by Liz Wreford of Architects Public City, Thunderhead’s concept of thunderclouds serves as a metaphor for both destruction and renewal. The column’s openings and skylight allow sunlight to create a kaleidoscope effect within the mirrored interior, symbolizing the flash of lightning during a thunderstorm.
The park surrounding the monument features an interpretive wall detailing the history of anti-2SLGBTQ+ discrimination in Canada, with a healing circle made from stones chosen by two-spirit elders from each province and territory. Michelle Douglas, executive director of the LGBT Purge Fund, views the park as a place for reflection and celebration, emphasizing its importance as a living monument to acknowledge past discrimination while looking towards a more inclusive future.
The site includes spaces for performances and gatherings, with Ross envisioning it as a venue for both celebration and protest. The official opening ceremony of Thunderhead will be attended by Gov.-Gen. Louise Arbour, coinciding with the start of Capital Pride 2026 the following day.
This new monument and park serve as a beacon of hope, offering a space for individuals to reflect on their experiences and history while celebrating progress and advocating for equality.