Thunderhead Monument opens in Ottawa to honor victims of LGBTQ+ purge

The Thunderhead Monument officially opened in Ottawa, located just west of Parliament Hill, to recognize the historical persecution of LGBTQ+ individuals by the Canadian government. The monument commemorates the ‘Purge,’ a systemic campaign from the 1950s through the 1990s during which thousands of members of the Canadian Armed Forces, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, and the federal public service were identified and expelled based on their sexual orientation or gender identity.

The project was funded by a $145 million class-action settlement, with $15 million allocated specifically for the monument and memorialization exhibits. Researchers estimate approximately 9,000 people were targeted through harassment, discrimination, and job loss.

Designed by Winnipeg-based visual artists Shawna Dempsey and Lorri Millan, the monument features the imagery of a thunderhead cloud. The design was intended to symbolize the strength, hope, and resilience of the 2SLGBTQ+ community, drawing inspiration from the collective feeling of community during protests and marches.