CFB Borden unveils “Serving with Pride” monument

June 22, 2026 - Defence Stories

Estimated read time - 2:00

Members of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF), veterans, survivors, and community partners gathered at CFB Borden on May 12 to mark the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT), highlighted by the unveiling of the "Serving with Pride" monument.

This initiative aims to recognize the impacts of the LGBT Purge and to honour those who were affected. The ceremony brought together Purge survivors, representatives from Rainbow Veterans of Canada, members of the chain of command, and Defence Team personnel in a moment of reflection, recognition, and commitment.

In her remarks, Colonel Melissa Ramessar, Commander of CFB Borden, acknowledged the past harms caused by institutional policies and practices, noting that many individuals affected by the Purge had passed through Borden. "Careers were abruptly ended. Lives were disrupted, and trust was broken. Today, we acknowledge this history with honesty and transparency."

The monument now stands as a permanent space for remembrance and reflection, underscoring the importance of learning from the past. As the Commander emphasized, recognition must be accompanied by sustained commitment. "Inclusion is not a courtesy-it is an operational imperative."

A particularly moving moment of the ceremony was the testimony of Honorary Lieutenant-Colonel Martine Roy, whose personal experience illustrated both the human impact of the Purge and the resilience of those affected. Her presence, alongside other survivors, reinforced the importance of centering lived experiences in commemorationactivities.

The ceremony also highlighted the role of allies in building an inclusive Defence Team. In his remarks, Lieutenant-Colonel André Jean emphasized that allyship is not a title, but an ongoing commitment. He noted that allyship means standing alongside others, calling out exclusion, and actively contributing to an environment grounded in dignity, respect, and a sense of belonging.

Symbolic elements also marked the event, including the presentation of the initial Pride flag developed in 1978 by Gilbert Baker, to the Purge survivors in recognition of their experiences and journeys. At the same time, the Intersex-Inclusive Pride flag was raised, reflecting the CAF's ongoing commitment to visibility and inclusion.

Held as part of IDAHOBIT, the ceremony form part of a broader commitment to promote dignity and respect for all 2SLGBTQI+ communities. For many in attendance, the event represented both a moment of remembrance and a call to action, an opportunity to acknowledge the wrongs of the past while reaffirming a collective responsibility for the future.

The "Serving with Pride" monument now stands at CFB Borden as a lasting reminder of the consequences of exclusion and the importance of building a Defence Team where every person can serve with authenticity, safety, and pride.

Between the 1950s and 1990s, members of the CAF, the RCMP, and the federal public service were targeted and dismissed because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. Thousands of people were affected. In 2017, the Government of Canada issued a formal apology.