On a day when most Americans (especially us queer ones) are looking northwards enviously at Canada and its incredible Prime Minister Mark Carney being one of the few people in this world standing up to the Orange Would-Be Dictator, we see more good news.

A monument that pays tribute to LGBTQ Canadians who suffered government-sanctioned persecution and discrimination was officially opened in Ottawa on Aug. 21.  A Canadian government press release notes ‘Thunderhead‘, which is located on Parliament Hill, “recognizes the historic discrimination faced by 2SLGBTQI+ (two-spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer, intersex, plus) people in Canada, including during the LGBT (lesbiennes, gaies, bisexuelles, trans) Purge. It celebrates the resilience and achievements of those who fought for equality, educates visitors, and inspires the change still needed so that everyone can openly love who they love and express and identify themselves as they choose,” .

Back in 2027, the then PM Pierre Trudeau formally apologized to Canadians who suffered persecution and discrimination under the country’s anti-LGBTQ laws — including those convicted of “gross indecency” before Canada decriminalized consensual same-sex sexual relations — and policies. Trudeau also formally apologized to those who were fired from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and the country’s military and civil service from the 1950s to the mid-1990s because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. Trudeau and Governor General Louise Arbour, and Women and Gender Equality Minister Rechie Valdez were among those who attended the ceremony

PM Carney posted on Facebook, “Thunderhead stands as a tribute to the lives, stories, and contributions of 2SLGBTQI+ people across Canada/ It’s a reminder of the discrimination too many endured — and honors those who fought to build a country where everyone can live freely, safely, and with dignity.”