1st Robot Brothel In The U.S. Could Come To Houston

HOUSTON, TX — The first robot sex brothel in the U.S. could soon open in Houston, but first Mayor Sylvester Turner must give the developer a green light. But Turner, who has taken a strong stance against sex crimes related to prostitution and sex trafficking, said he doesn’t think a sexually oriented business staffed by sexbots belongs in Houston.

But there could be some legal loopholes related to the city's sexually-oriented business statute, which Turner said he plans to explore with city council.

In the interim, Yuval Graviel of Toronto-based KinkySDolls, who describes his business as a purveyor of the first Adult Love Doll Brothel in North America, wants to bring this unique service to Houston and has his sights set on the Galleria area, according to a KPRC report.

This proposed robot brothel would allow patrons to pay $120 per hour for sex with a robot created to look like a woman. Those preferring a more discreet rendezvous can purchase their own sex robot from KinkySDolls for about $2,500 and up to $10,000 each.

The idea of a sexually-oriented business staffed by artificial humanoids has drawn sharp resistance from Elijah Rising, a nonprofit organization whose focus it is to end sex trafficking.

The organization launched on online petition to gather 10,000 signatures to be presented to the Houston City Council. By Wednesday afternoon more than 8,500 people had signed the petition in opposition to the business.

Aside from the obvious moral and legal issues, there are some concerns for health issues as it relates to the spread of venereal diseases, also common among human prostitutes.

According to their Facebook page, these sex dolls are cleaned and sanitized after each use, but health officials warn that won't likely be protection enough.

“Anywhere you are touching an area with multiple people’s traces, there is risk for potential diseases,” Elizabeth Perez, spokesperson for Harris County Public Health said in a Houston Chronicle report.

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Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Image

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