https://www.instagram.com/p/Beia56XnqpX/?taken-by=the.wing
https://www.instagram.com/p/BgCmWWlHzjZ/?taken-by=the.wing
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bfl4e2kn6IC/?taken-by=the.wing
https://www.instagram.com/p/BgwUKvMlNYw/?taken-by=the.wing
https://www.instagram.com/p/BfbA8mTnwZb/?taken-by=the.wing
https://www.instagram.com/p/Be5hBj0Hen4/?taken-by=the.wing
https://www.instagram.com/p/BdcyrP4HWr4/?taken-by=the.wing
The Wing is a women’s only social club that boasts itself as being a space designed for women, ran by women and inhabited by women. The Wing started in 2016 with one location in New York City Flatiron District. But now, two years later, it has three NYC locations and one opening up in Washington D.C. next month.
According to the private club’s website, “The Wing was born out of the belief that women need and deserve a multi-purpose space designed to make their lives easier, and that magic is created when women gather together.”
The spaces look like a millennials dream. As if your Instagram apartment inspiration collection came to life.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BfqZpVrn4qV/?taken-by=the.wing
The Wing doesn’t discriminate against anyone who applies to be a member unless you’re a man. Men aren’t allowed to be members, work at The Wing or attend Wing events. It’s a completely male-free zone. Now the NYC Human Rights Commission has launched an investigation into the women’s only club to see if it violates NYC’s Human Rights Law.
According to Jezebel, the city’s Human Rights Law “forbids businesses that furnish public accommodations, including most private clubs (though not all), from discriminating against customers because of their gender.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/BfvknjQHyXi/?taken-by=the.wing
The Wing’s co-founders, Audrey Gelman and Lauren Kassan will be meeting with the HRC with lawyers in tow. It’s pretty backward that these anti-discriminatory gender laws were put in place so men couldn’t discriminate against women and are now being used against a space for women.
But The Wing could still be as is because the HRC does allow exceptions to the gender bias law. But to be honest, the HRC can be focusing on solving cases of toxic workspaces that are unsafe especially in light of the Me Too movement rather than a safe space for women. The Wing doesn’t allow men, so women can flourish.
The gender bias isn’t even what’s problematic about The Wing.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BfoXbnYH93J/?taken-by=the.wing
Being part of this women-only club isn’t cheap. A membership for a single location with cost you $215 monthly or an upfront $2,350 annually. If you want an all access to all Wing things it’s going to cost you $250 monthly or $2,700 annually.
If anything The Wing should be focused on offering cheaper options, drop-in fees or scholarships to cover the annual costs. But instead, the HRC is coming on The Wing for carving out a space for women in a male-dominated world.
