Hookers for Jesus is an evangelical Christian organization focused on human rights of people who work in the sex industry and fights sex trafficking.
History
The organization was founded in 2005 by Annie Lobert, a former sex worker turned Christian in Las Vegas.Anugrah Kumar, How Hookers for Jesus Founder Turned Away From Sex Trade to Serving God, christianpost.com, USA, October 03, 2012 In 2007, she set up a safe house program ("Destiny House") at The Church at South Las Vegas, for victims of sex trafficking and sex workers.Angela Almeida, Q & A with "Hookers for Jesus" founder, Annie Lobert, msnbc.com, USA, June 26, 2015 In 2008, she collaborated with Heather Veitch of JC's Girls at the AVN Adult Entertainment Expo in Las Vegas.
Controversies In 2020, the organization received widespread attention and criticism following a grant from the United States Department of Justice, due to the group's handbook of its safe house rules published in 2018 mentioning that homosexuality was immoral and that attendance at the organization's weekly church services was mandatory.Sarah N. Lynch, Exclusive: Justice Department anti-human trafficking grants prompt whistleblower complaint, reuters.com, USA, February 10, 2020 Lobert replied that the manual no longer contained statements about homosexuality and that attendance at religious services was no longer mandatory.
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