Women & Non-Binary

Reach out to Carol to join: [email protected]

Meets in person every Third Monday 12:30pm - 2:25pm in the Library

Hosted by Natasha Strange & Viola Parker, co-owners of Sub Rosa, this three-hour event includes a discussion on consent and safety, followed by demonstrations on how to safely negotiate a scene, with the help of experienced volunteers. After discussion and negotiation demos, we use the gorgeous space and gear at Sub Rosa for experiential practice and play with our demo bottoms. Natasha and Viola, with support dommes, circulate to train the attendees on the activities, toys and gear, teaching techniques and giving tips.

The format is as follows: introductions, going over safety, negotiating/interviewing demo bottoms, and then hands-on play for the majority of the time. We vet and prep our demo bottoms and model negotiation with them during the class. Then we encourage participants to practice various activities on these folks. Nobody is pressured to do anything at our events, and all are welcome to voyeur/watch the play. Our demo bottoms generally include a mix of men, women, and non-binary people. We usually have five/six per class.

Feel free to dress up (or down!) for the event, but the key is to feel comfortable and powerful, so whatever makes you feel this way is encouraged as far as clothing.

(For accessibility information, please continue reading.)

Who are these bootcamps for?
FemDom Bootcamps are geared to women and/or nonbinary folks at the early stages of exploring, seeking confidence, community, hands-on experience, and to further develop their dominant power. We encourage questions and active participation in demos, however, those interested in learning by watching/voyeurism are always welcome. (Trans women are women. Sub Rosa is a trans-inclusive space and transphobia will not be tolerated.)

Partners of the femdoms/tops/switches may attend - but this is a good time for male partners to let the femdom in their life learn without them and bring home new ideas! Please note that all attendees will need a ticket.

This is not an event for single men, submissive or dominant. This is a coached play party that focuses on learning, consent, negotiation, and practice in a femdom context.

If you are a man and you coming to this event in a couple, you should understand that this event is geared toward the women/non-binary dommes in the room. Male partners may not practice on the demo bottoms or insert themselves into the demo play without an explicit invitation. They are welcome to listen and learn and also offer themselves up for play with their partner in the space. There is limited space for partner play.

This class is for adults 18+ only.

Accessibility Info
Masks are optional and welcome. Sadly, our space is not ADA accessible. The steps to the exterior door do not have a handrail; the stairs to the second floor do have a handrail, with 12 steps to the landing and 11 more to floor 2. Please request assistance if you would like someone to meet you at the door. Reach out if there are other accessibility accommodations we might be able to make for you or if you need ASL interpretation.

Reduced price tickets are available to BIPOC folks as well as those experiencing financial hardship. Please reach out to [email protected] to request a discount code. Full price tickets help allow us to offer these discounts. Joining our Patreon also supports our ability to offer community discounts.

Cancellation policy: Refunds are allowed only for cancellations up to two days before the event start time.

About Natasha Strange
Princessa Natasha Strange is a BDSM educator, published author, aspiring cult leader, and wicked minx with over 30 years of experience in the world of power exchange. She is equal parts connoisseur of consensual cruelty and thoughtful educator, with a gift for taking the most intimidating corners of BDSM and making them feel like an invitation rather than an interrogation. Her book, Kink for the Curious, is part whimsical activity book — complete with puzzles and coloring pages — and part genuinely useful primer on kink and BDSM, proof that education doesn't have to mean a lecture. Curious to know more? Surrender a few minutes at SubRosaPDX.com.

About Viola Parker
Mistress Viola, co-founder of Sub Rosa, has been a professional dominatrix since 2010. She has been coaching couples as well as teaching kink classes and experiential workshops since 2017. Her popular monthly play party 50 Shades of STFU fueled femmes and kinky queer energy from 2017-2025 - and is now back as STFU on a quarterly basis! She is fiercely devoted to fostering kink community and empowering folks to embrace their inner desires. You can read more about Mistress Viola at SubRosaPDX.com/about.

Sub Rosa PDX Portland, OR Sub Rosa is Portland’s only femdom-led boutique space, hosting online & in-person BDSM and sex-positive classes.

Untitled design (4).png

In partnership with the Lake Oswego Public Library and Key Bank, the Senior Scholar Program offers free, engaging academic classes designed especially for older adults. Explore topics in history, humanities, science, and technology while connecting with peers and nurturing a lifelong love of learning. Space is limited—registration is required.

• Location: LO Adult Community Center
• Cost: Free for all participants
• Registration Required: Call (503) 635-3758
• Early registration is encouraged due to limited seating.

Upcoming Fall 2026 Lectures

The Neurobiology of Awe: Reshaping the Aging Brain

Thursday, September 10 • 10–11:30 a.m.

Location: LO Adult Community Center
Presented by Dr. Lynne Shinto, Professor of Neurology at Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU)

Uncover the transformative power of wonder and its tangible biological impacts. Dr. Lynne Shinto walks us through how intentional, everyday moments of awe physically reshape the neural architecture of the aging brain. Discover the fascinating science behind how experiencing wonder sparks fresh neural pathways, lowers cellular inflammation, and actively stimulates cognitive vitality to keep our minds sharp and resilient.

About the Instructor:
Dr. Lynne Shinto is a Professor of Neurology at OHSU, focusing on neurological health, brain longevity, and integrative medical approaches to cognitive well-being.

Course ID: 34834 – Free

Chinese Cowboys of the American West: A Forgotten Legacy

Tuesday, October 6 • 10–11:30 a.m.

Location: LO Adult Community Center
Presented by Dale Hom, Author and Historical Researcher

Step onto the rugged, untamed frontier to uncover a vital yet frequently overlooked chapter of American heritage. Through meticulous historical research and vibrant archival illustrations, author Dale Hom brings the deeply impactful legacy of Chinese cowboys to life. Explore how these resilient individuals shaped the ranching industries and livestock traditions of the 19th-century American West despite structural and cultural hurdles.

About the Instructor:
Dale Hom is a dedicated author and researcher who specializes in unearthing and preserving marginalized histories and cultural narratives of the early American West.

Course ID: 34829 – Free

Linguistic Archaeology: The Story of Chinook Jargon

Thursday, November 5 • 10–11:30 a.m.

Location: LO Adult Community Center
Presented by David Douglas Robertson, PhD, Linguist and Historian

Unlock the profound linguistic history hidden within the early Pacific Northwest landscape. Dr. David Douglas Robertson guides us through a fascinating linguistic deep dive into Chinook Jargon, the historic trade language that blended Indigenous and European tongues. Learn how this unique hybrid form of communication served as a cultural bridge and vital economic lifeline that fundamentally shaped the early communities of the Willamette Valley.

About the Instructor:
Dr. David Douglas Robertson is an expert linguist and leading authority on Pacific Northwest languages, specializing in the historical preservation of regional dialects.

Course ID: 34830 – Free

The Carbon Footprint of the Cloud: Data, AI, and the Environment

Thursday, December 3 • 10–11:30 a.m.

Location: LO Adult Community Center
Presented by Dr. Christof Teuscher, Professor at Portland State University (PSU)

Look behind the digital curtain of our hyper-connected lives. PSU Professor Dr. Christof Teuscher reveals the immense, often invisible environmental impact of the massive data centers and straining power grids that fuel our daily internet use and the current AI boom. This talk breaks down the physical resource realities of modern technology and offers practical frameworks for practicing sustainable digital stewardship in our personal lives.

About the Instructor:
Dr. Christof Teuscher is a Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at PSU, researching next-generation computing architectures and the intersection of technology and sustainability.

Course ID: 34892 – Free

Program Highlights

• Diverse Course Offerings: Explore wide-ranging topics that stimulate curiosity and broaden understanding.
• Engaging Learning Environment: Lectures encourage thoughtful discussion and shared insights.
• Community Connection: Build relationships with fellow lifelong learners.
• Expert Instructors: Courses are taught by accomplished university scholars.
• Supports Cognitive Health & Well-Being: Lifelong learning promotes curiosity, connection, and mental vitality.

Registration Details

• Cost: Free for all participants
• Registration Required: Call (503) 635-3758
• Early registration is encouraged due to limited seating.

Past Talks

Explore recordings, resources, and summaries from previous Senior Scholar presentations:

Spring/Summer 2026 Lectures

• Who Tells the Story? (June 18, 2026)
  Presented by Dr. David G. Lewis, Oregon State University. Discover how Native histories are researched and reconstructed through federal archives. Highlights the importance of Indigenous perspectives and representation in reshaping historical narratives.
  OSU Faculty Profile | PSU Profile | NDN History Research Website
• The Global Rise of Authoritarianism (May 12, 2026)
  Presented by Dr. Lindsay J. Benstead, Portland State University. Discover the global forces shaping democracy today, including democratic backsliding, election interference, and the rise of authoritarian leaders worldwide.
  PSU Faculty Profile | Wilson Center Profile
• Social Media & Society (June 9, 2026)
  Presented by Donna Z. Davis, Ph.D., University of Oregon. Explore how social media has transformed relationships, civic life, and community, highlighting isolation, algorithm-driven polarization, and structural platform decline.
  UO Faculty Profile | Oregon Reality Lab
• CANCELLED - Protest in America (March 17, 2026)
  Presented by Dr. Patricia A. Schechter, Portland State University. An planned in-depth conversation about the history of protest movements, civic engagement, and social activism within the United States.
  PSU Faculty Profile

Archive Links

• Witches & Witch-Hunters: Fear and Power in History
  View Past Talk Summary
• Medical Gaslighting
  View Past Talk Summary
• The Epidemiology of Gun Violence
  View Past Talk Summary
• Deconstructing Deception: Understanding Conspiracy Theories
  View Past Talk Summary
• Walls that Speak: Murals and Street Art as Voices of Social Change
  View Past Talk Summary
• Family Estrangement in Modern Families
  View Past Talk Summary
• How A.I. is Shaping Our Future and the Ethical Implications
  View Past Talk Summary
• The Role of Immigration in Shaping Our Communities
  View Past Talk Summary
• The Science of Climate Change
  View Past Talk Summary

Come see how Shalonda Menefee helps women and teen girls boost their self-esteem! Embrace your beauty and self-love in this workshop by decorating a personal mirror. Engage in a guided meditation and explore the power of positive affirmations. Create a mirror that reminds you of your inner beauty and self-worth. Look at yourself with love and appreciation, and embrace who you are with confidence!