Thunderhead: Ottawa landmark honours 2SLGBTQI+ resilience

A rendering of Thunderhead, the 2SLGBTQI+ National Monument.
Thunderhead also addresses the colonial roots of homophobia and transphobia and honours people affected by the historic LGBT Purge. Photo courtesy LGBT Purge Fund

Thunderhead, Canada’s 2SLGBTQI+ National Monument, will open in Ottawa on August 21.

The 11-m (36-ft) monument and the surrounding public space are in a park along the Ottawa River. It recognizes the discrimination experienced by 2SLGBTQI+ communities in Canada and the challenges that continue today.

Thunderhead confronts the colonial roots of homophobia and transphobia and honours people targeted in the historic LGBT Purge. During the purge, officials systematically investigated, harassed, and dismissed queer members of the Canadian Armed Forces, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), and the federal public service.

The LGBT Purge Fund, created through a class-action settlement with survivors of the LGBT Purge, funded the monument entirely. The fund developed the project in collaboration with the Department of Canadian Heritage and the National Capital Commission.

The opening ceremony will bring together LGBT Purge survivors, community leaders, representatives of local First Nations, families, partners, allies, and other guests.