The LGBT Purge Fund is very pleased to see the announcement of the five design teams that will submit designs for Canada’s LGBTQ2+ National Monument in Ottawa.

The five selected design firms clearly represent professional excellence. They have also demonstrated their commitment to diversity, inclusion and implementing the vision of the monument.

The five design proposals will be made for stakeholder and general public viewing and engagement later in 2021.

Here is a link to the government of Canada news release with more details about the design teams and the process.

So far, 2020 has been a busy time for the LGBT Purge Fund. We continue to work on our projects despite the challenges posed by COVID. Here are a few updates:

• The LGBTQ2+ National Monument project is advancing nicely. We are in the process of inviting design firms to share interest and qualifications for the design the monument. The Request for Qualifications is here. The monument will be completed in 2025.
• The LGBT Purge Fund is continuing to make grants to some amazing organizations. We have provided funding to: VETS Canada to support LGBTQ2 veterans in crisis; an oral history project launched to document the stories of LGBT Purge survivors; and capacity-building activities of Rainbow Veterans of Canada.
• We are still monitoring the situation with the Canadian Museum for Human Rights. We have not yet decided how to proceed with our planned exhibition at the museum and are monitoring how the museum intends to address problems of racism and homophobia.
• The LGBT Purge Fund is working “virtually” during this time of COVID. We are making progress on all of our projects.