Thunderclouds are gathering near the Library and Archives Canada building in downtown Ottawa, creating a new national monument for the 2SLGBTQ+ community. The monument, named Thunderhead, stands as a nine-meter white column with cloud-shaped openings, featuring a mirrored interior reminiscent of a disco ball.
Located at Wellington Street and the Portage Bridge intersection, Thunderhead symbolizes the discrimination faced by 2SLGBTQ+ individuals, particularly during the Canadian government’s prolonged campaign known as the LGBT purge. This purge, spanning from the 1950s to the mid-1990s, involved the investigation and expulsion of thousands of individuals from the RCMP, Canadian Armed Forces, and federal public service based on their sexuality.
Designed by Liz Wreford of Architects Public City in Winnipeg, Thunderhead represents destruction and renewal through the metaphor of thunderclouds. The monument’s skylight and openings allow sunlight to create a colorful display inside, mimicking the flash of lightning during a thunderstorm.
The surrounding park serves as an educational space, shedding light on the history of anti-2SLGBTQ+ discrimination in Canada. It includes an interpretive wall detailing the persecution of two-spirit individuals and a healing circle composed of stones selected by two-spirit elders from each province and territory.
Executive director of the LGBT Purge Fund, Michelle Douglas, sees the park as a place for reflection and celebration, offering hope and healing for visitors. The site aims to act as a living monument, recognizing past discrimination while looking towards a more inclusive future.
Featuring a stage and event spaces, Thunderhead and its park are designed to accommodate performances and gatherings. Todd Ross, co-chair of the LGBT Purge Fund, envisions the site as a space for both celebration and activism, providing a platform for people to come together during challenging times.
The official opening ceremony of Thunderhead will be attended by Gov.-Gen. Louise Arbour, with Capital Pride 2026 events commencing the following day and running until August 30.
