# Thunderhead Monument unveiling in Ottawa > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/thunderhead-monument-unveiling-in-ottawa > Updated: 2026-08-23T23:05:57.000Z. Sources: 8. Developments: 2. The Thunderhead Monument was officially unveiled in Ottawa near Parliament Hill to commemorate the ‘LGBT Purge.’ This historical period, spanning from the 1950s to the mid-1990s, involved the systemic harassment, discrimination, and dismissal of thousands of individuals from the Canadian Armed Forces, the RCMP, and the federal public service based on their sexual orientation or gender identity. Funded by a $145 million class-action settlement—with $15 million dedicated to memorialization—the project was designed by a Winnipeg-based artistic team including Shawna Dempsey, Lorri Millan, Liz Wreford, and Peter Sampson, alongside cultural adviser Albert McLeod. The monument’s thunderhead cloud imagery is intended to symbolize the resilience and strength of the 2SLGBTQ+ community. The unveiling ceremony was attended by several high-ranking officials, including former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Governor General Louise Arbour, and Women and Gender Equality Minister Rechie Valdez. The site is located on the traditional territory of the Anishinabe Algonquin Nation. ## Timeline ### 2026-08-23: Thunderhead LGBTQ monument unveiled in Ottawa The ‘Thunderhead’ monument was unveiled in Ottawa to honor LGBTQ Canadians persecuted during the government-sanctioned ‘LGBT Purge’ between the 1950s and 1990s. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/thunderhead-lgbtq-monument-unveiled-in-ottawa ### 2026-08-20: Thunderhead Monument opens in Ottawa to honor victims of LGBTQ+ purge Canada has unveiled the Thunderhead Monument in Ottawa, honoring the 2SLGBTQ+ community and recognizing the historical systemic discrimination and purging of federal employees by the government. 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/thunderhead-monument-opens-in-ottawa-to-honor-victims-of-lgbtq-purge --- Cite as: Thunderhead Monument unveiling in Ottawa. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/thunderhead-monument-unveiling-in-ottawa