Within The Healing Circle

 More today from Thunderhead, the new monument at Richmond Landing.

Governments for a long time made it policy to discriminate against the LGBT community by removing them from positions in public service. This was called the LGBT Purge.

The monument is very effectively done, particularly these panels. 

The heart of the monument is this. The openings into this column resemble storm clouds, and the column features many small mirrors inlaid inside. 

Nearby, a series of rocks from across the country have been placed into a healing circle- a testament to the Indigenous influence in this monument.

One more look. From here I was heading over to another section of Richmond Landing.

The New Monument

Richmond Landing sits between the headquarters of Library and Archives Canada and the Portage Bridge, along the Ottawa River west of the Parliamentary precinct. A new monument was recently unveiled on a portion of the grounds.

It is called Thunderhead, and it is a national monument for the LGBT community.

The concept is a blend between history, architecture, landscape design, and consultation with the queer community.

Along one wall are panels telling the story of the gay community in Canada, including the darker chapters for them in the country's history in dealing with discrimination.