‘WING’ DING
Blaz: Women’s club OK, despite human rights probe
A DAY AFTER the New York City Commission on Human Rights said it opened an investigation into the women-only social club The Wing, Mayor de Blasio said he supported the club’s mission and members argued the panel ought to have more pressing concerns.
The Wing, a self-described “community of co-working and community spaces for women” with locations in Manhattan, Brooklyn and Washington, may have run afoul of New York City’s strict anti-discrimination laws, Jezebel first reported Monday.
The commission confirmed to the Daily News that it was investigating The Wing after extensive media coverage of the club and its membership policy — and after receiving a tip from a member of the public earlier this year inquiring whether it was violating the city’s Human Rights Law.
That might put the commission — and de Blasio — in the awkward spot of investigating an organization that says it professes the same views as the commission: empowering women.
Hizzoner’s office said he supports the club.
“These are very normal reviews by an agency with an important responsibility,” de Blasio spokesman Eric Phillips said. “The mayor is fully supportive of The Wing’s mission, and we are confident the human rights commission and The Wing can work together to ensure the law is being followed so that The Wing can continue to focus on its important work.”
While the commission has used the word “investigation” to describe its inquiry, The Wing said it amounted to more of a “conversation.”
“The headlines this morning have been much more dramatic than reality,” Karen Dunn, an attorney representing group, said in a statement. “All that has happened is that The Wing and the commission have mutually agreed to have a conversation.”
But she seemed to question the reasons behind the commission’s actions.
“We are looking forward to a productive talk with them,” she said. “After all, last I checked, human rights included empowering women, not taking more away from them. The law recognizes this too and is consistent with The Wing’s values and mission.”
Some women were more direct — with Wing members launching a social media campaign ripping the panel for its investigation.
Some noted the harassment they’d experienced in other workplaces before joining the co-working space. And others argued there were bigger fish to fry.
“@NYCCHR you’re investigating @the_wing? How about investigating @ManhattanDA for coddling Weinstein and the Trumps? Or look into our disgrace of a transit system and how that violates human rights? Cc @NYCMayorsOffice,” Kerry Diamond tweeted.