Local comedian and sexologist team up for new event at Blush

SexCom — it sounds like a convention where people come dressed as their favorite body part for porn stars’ autographs. But at this fun and educational recurring event launching Saturday, Jan. 11 at Blush & Blu, SexCom stands for “Sex and Comedy,” an innovative offering for credible sexuality advice.

Humor doesn’t normally go with high-minded sexual wellness information — which you’d expect to come in the form of serious and straight-faced medical jargon for our “adult” activities and parts. That is, unless you’re local comedienne Debbie Scheer with sexologist (and Out Front Sexpert) Shanna Katz, who say that sex is only human; it goes hand-in-hand with laughter.

We caught up with the dedicated duo for the dish on what inspired the event.

Robyn Vie-Carpenter: What sparked your interest in combining sexuality with comedy?

Debbie Scheer: I worked at Planned Parenthood for many years teaching sex ed. I’m pretty new to the comedy scene, but Denver has a huge scene and there are some brilliant comedians. And when I was asking (other comics) for advice, they said be authentic — it felt like I needed to figure out a way to kind of partner comedy, which I love, and sex ed, which I also love.

Vie-Carpenter: How did it become SexCom?

Scheer: I’m recently-single and older. And I kind of started to talk to friends, men and women, and noticed that there was somewhat of a gap between people getting adult, honest, accurate information about sex and sexuality. I thought, gosh, if we can do something that is adult sex ed, that comedy piece is huge, because that’s what relaxes people. It makes them more comfortable, more open to learning, and I thought, I need someone who’s an expert. So, clearly there’s no better expert than Shanna.

Vie-Carpenter: I know she’s the only person I think of calling for anything related to sexuality and relationships. Did you jump at it, Shanna?

Shanna Katz: Well, I think almost about a year ago now, you (to Debbie) had reached out to me like, “Hey, I have all of these single women friends in their 40s, and don’t know anything about sex.” Like how to restart the sex drive, or be sexual after being in a 16 or 20 year relationship, et cetera. And I was like, great let’s talk about doing a class. Later, I think you came to my cunniligus class.

Scheer: Yup, I did.

Katz: It kinda went from there. I very much believe that sex ed should be fun and enjoyable, and I am big on accessibility. Plus, I’m awkward so it makes it easier for people to ask awkward questions.

Vie-Carpenter: This sounds like so much fun!