Thunderclouds are forming near the Library and Archives Canada building in downtown Ottawa, but these clouds are not foreboding rain and lightning. Instead, they signify a new national monument honoring the 2SLGBTQ+ community, named Thunderhead.
Thunderhead stands as a towering nine-meter white column adorned with cloud-shaped openings. Inside the pillar are inverted clouds lined with mirrored tiles, creating an atmosphere reminiscent of a giant disco ball, according to Todd Ross, co-chair of the LGBT Purge Fund.
Situated near Wellington Street and the Portage Bridge, Thunderhead commemorates the discrimination faced by 2SLGBTQ+ individuals across Canada, notably during the government’s prolonged campaign known as the LGBT purge. From the 1950s to the mid-1990s, thousands of individuals were investigated and ousted from organizations like the RCMP, Canadian Armed Forces, and federal public service due to their sexual orientation.
Ross, a former Canadian navy member, was discharged in 1990 due to his sexuality. Years later, he participated in a successful class-action lawsuit against the government, with the proceeds contributing to the construction of the monument.
Designed by a team from Winnipeg led by Liz Wreford of Architects Public City, Thunderhead symbolizes destruction and renewal through its representation of thunderclouds. The monument’s concept revolves around the absence of a cloud as a pivotal element, allowing sunlight to create a kaleidoscope effect inside the column, evoking the colors of a thunderstorm.
The surrounding park complements the monument by shedding light on the history of anti-2SLGBTQ+ discrimination in Canada. An interpretive wall recounts the persecution faced by two-spirit individuals, while a healing circle composed of stones hand-picked by two-spirit elders from each province and territory stands nearby.
Michelle Douglas, executive director of the LGBT Purge Fund, describes the park as a place for diverse experiences and emotions, offering reflection and hope. The site is envisioned as a living monument, recognizing past discrimination while looking ahead to a more inclusive future.
Featuring a stage and various gathering spaces, the site is designed to accommodate performances and events. Ross envisions the monument and park as versatile spaces for both celebration and activism, emphasizing the importance of providing a gathering place during challenging times.
The official opening ceremony for Thunderhead will be attended by Gov.-Gen. Louise Arbour, with Capital Pride 2026 festivities following the next day until August 30.