Thunderclouds are gathering near the Library and Archives Canada building in downtown Ottawa, but there’s no storm in sight. Instead, these clouds symbolize celebration and reflection for the new national 2SLGBTQ+ monument known as Thunderhead.
Thunderhead stands tall as a nine-meter white column adorned with cloud-shaped openings. Todd Ross, co-chair of the LGBT Purge Fund, described the design as inverted clouds within the pillar, accentuated with mirrored tiles to create a disco ball effect inside.
Located close to the intersection of Wellington Street and the Portage Bridge, Thunderhead pays tribute to the discrimination faced by 2SLGBTQ+ individuals nationwide, particularly during the Canadian government’s prolonged LGBT purge from the 1950s to the mid-1990s.
Ross, who was honorably discharged from the Canadian navy in 1990 due to his sexuality, later participated in a class-action lawsuit against the government. The proceeds from this legal action were utilized to fund the monument’s creation.
Designed by a team led by Liz Wreford of Architects Public City, Thunderhead’s concept of thunderclouds represents both destruction and renewal. The column’s unique architecture allows sunlight to create a kaleidoscope of colors within its mirrored interior, mimicking the flash of lightning during a thunderstorm.
The surrounding park serves as a platform to shed light on the history of anti-2SLGBTQ+ discrimination in Canada. It features an interpretive wall detailing this history, including the persecution of two-spirit individuals, along with a healing circle composed of stones selected by two-spirit elders from each province and territory.
The park, according to Michelle Douglas, executive director of the LGBT Purge Fund, serves as a place for reflection and celebration, symbolizing hope for the future. The site also includes spaces for performances and gatherings, aiming to become a hub for various events.
Thunderhead’s official opening ceremony, attended by Gov.-Gen. Louise Arbour, is set for Friday, coinciding with the start of Capital Pride 2026, which will run until August 30.