How about a tale of a monument that sparked both pride and controversy? Let’s talk about the Alexander Wood Statue. It once stood proudly at the corner of Church and Alexander Streets. This was in the heart of Toronto’s gay village.
The Alexander Wood Statue marked a significant moment in Canadian history. It was Canada’s first LGBT monument. Unveiled on May 28 2005 the statue was commissioned by the Church Wellesley Village Business Improvement Area. The municipal government of Toronto also supported it.
The statue was designed by artist Del Newbigging. He crafted a 244-centimetre-tall bronze sculpture. Newbigging used Georgian-era portraits as inspiration. But he took some artistic liberties. He wanted to make Wood “handsome”. He felt the community would appreciate that. Newbigging also added “a gay flair”. He was convinced Wood would have had it. A red rose adorned the statue’s lapel. This was a tribute to Pierre Trudeau. Trudeau’s government decriminalized homosexuality in Canada in 1969.
Alexander Wood himself was a Scottish merchant and magistrate. He lived in Upper Canada. He was also a key figure in the area’s history. The area around Church and Wellesley became known as Molly Wood’s Bush. This cemented his association with Toronto’s gay village.
But the Alexander Wood Statue wasn’t without its critics. In 2021 the CWVBIA called for its removal. This was due to Wood’s ties to a group. The group raised funds for a mission school. That school later became the Shingwauk Indian Residential School.
The CWVBIA argued that keeping the statue up would send a bad message. They believed it would signal that racism was being iconized in Toronto. This sparked debate within the community. Some felt his connection to the residential school system was too problematic. Others defended Wood. They cited his contributions to the LGBTQ community. They also questioned the extent of his involvement with the schools.
The statue stood on a 1.5-metre granite base. Plaques detailed Wood’s life. One plaque described his investigation into a rape case. It even featured a depiction of a suspect’s exposed buttocks. Some people rubbed the bronze buttocks for good luck. This made the statue’s patina smooth and bright.
Ultimately the Alexander Wood Statue was removed on April 4 2022. It was destroyed. The CWVBIA directed the removal. The statue was broken up. It was then disposed of. The granite base was removed and filled with concrete.
Reactions to the removal were mixed. Some praised it. Others were shocked by the lack of consultation. The destruction of the Alexander Wood Statue sparked complicated feelings. It highlighted the importance of confronting history. It also emphasized the need for respectful dialogue.