Canada set for its first LGBTQIA+ national monument
by David Itai
A national LGBTQIA+ monument is set to be built in downtown Ottawa, the Minister of Canadian Heritage, Pablo Rodriguez, the Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth, Marci Ien, and Michelle Douglas, the Executive Director of LGBT Purge Fund have revealed. The monument is set to be a lasting testimony to the courage and humanity of those who were harmed by the LGBT Purge, homophobic and transphobic laws and norms, and Canada’s colonial history.
Five design teams were shortlisted to develop proposals for this monument and the public was invited to cast their votes for the different designs based on criteria, imagery, and multi-media presentations. .
Team Wreford, an all Canadian primarily queer team, won the contest with their entry title Thunderhead. The design was conceived by the Winnipeg-based team led by Liz Wreford, Peter Sampson and Taylor LaRocque of Public City, with artists Shawna Dempsey and Lorri Millan, and Albert McLeod, Indigenous and Two-Spirited People subject-matter expert and advisor.
“Congratulations to the team for their inclusive, innovative and thoughtful design. The concept truly expresses the monument’s objectives to educate, memorialize, celebrate and inspire, and provides a safe space for both celebration and reflection. This monument will be the first of its kind. It will forever serve as a testament to the strength, courage and determination of the LGBTQ2+ community in Canada," said the Minister of Canadian Heritage.
In addition, Michelle said the monument stands as both a beacon of inspiration and a reminder of the pain of discrimination.
"We are thrilled by the powerful, captivating and extraordinary design proposed by Team Wreford. Their design concept not only embraces the vision for this monument, but it is a stunning and important landmark for the LGBTQ2+ community. It will stand as both a beacon of inspiration and a reminder of the pain of discrimination. We are already dreaming of the day when the monument will be open for all to visit and experience. We are also grateful for the passionate and bold designs proposed by the other four design teams, and feel honoured by their impressive contributions," said Michelle.
The design of the monument was conceived by the Winnipeg-based team led by Liz Wreford, Peter Sampson and Taylor LaRocque of Public City, with artists Shawna Dempsey, Lorri Millan, and Albert McLeod, Indigenous and Two-Spirited People subject-matter expert and advisor.
Moreso, the design draws on the symbolism of a thunderhead cloud, which embodies the strength, activism and hope of LGBTQIA+ communities.
Elements of the design include a sculpture that creates the imprint of a thunderhead cloud in mirrored tile, a pathway through a landscaped park that traces the history of LGBTQIA+ people in Canada and a healing circle ringed with stones hand-picked by Two-Spirit Elders.