Loresa Novy

Loresa Novy is originally from Cleveland, Ohio. There she studied massage therapy and worked at various spas and clinics. She began working at a massage clinic that treated patients with low incomes and those living with HIV/AIDS. In addition she volunteered her bodywork services to a clinic serving persons whose lives were touched by cancer. Those two experiences made her realize her passion for helping others and giving back to the community.

In December of 2005, Loresa moved to Pembroke, Ontario and attended Algonquin College. There, she volunteered for a conference: Creating Rural Rainbow Connections. The main goals of the conference were to educate others on sexual orientation, gender expression and the harsh realities of homophobia and transphobia.

In the fall of 2006, Loresa moved to Ottawa to attend University of Ottawa to study health sciences. In addition, she began volunteering for the OPS GLBT Liaison Committee as a scribe. She helped organize events throughout the year and is the lead organizer for the OPS GLBT Pride Flag unfurling/ pancake breakfast. In the summer of 2008, she became a research assistant within the Ottawa Police Service’s Diversity and Race Relation Section. Her main goal was to create a feasibility research project for a GLBT component of the Critical Incident-Critical Situation (CI-CS) program, which is being used today. At the November 2009 Liaison Committee’s AGM she was elected Community Vice Chair which she served until November 2011.

Loresa returned to Algonquin College for the event management program. She graduated in April 2011. Last year she took on the role of sponsorship director (corporate/ alcohol). This year, she is delighted and honoured to be Chair for Capital Pride 2012!