By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Private Policy and Terms of Use.
People Are Rallying Around Gay Teen Suspended for Wearing Nail Polish
"I am a gay male and I’m beyond proud. This is unjust and not okay," Texas high schooler Trevor Wilkinson said.
The internet is rallying around a Texas teen after he was suspended for wearing nail polish.
Following the Thanksgiving break, 17-year-old Trevor Wilkinson, a senior at Clyde High School in Abilene, Texas, wore painted nails to school and was reprimanded by his teachers because they "prohibited him from learning," even receiving an in-school-suspension.
Wilkinson shared what happened on social media and it quickly went viral.
\u201cSo I saw this on Facebook. Apparently this kid got put into ISS for wearing nail polish and won\u2019t be released from it until he removes it because it prohibits him from learning. (Full story below)\u201d— The Thighdeologist (@The Thighdeologist) 1607100807
"I was told that I will continue to get ISS until I take them off," said Wilkinson, pointing out the "double standard because girls are allowed to paint and get their nails done."
Since his suspension, Wilkinson launched a Change.org petition, Allow males to wear nail polish, that currently has nearly 160,000 signatures at the time of writing.
"Freedom of expression is validation enough that the dress code and policy is not okay," wrote Wilkinson. "I am a gay male and I’m beyond proud. This is unjust and not okay. Help me show that it is okay to express yourself and that the identity that society wants to normalize is not okay. I am a human. I am valid. I should not get in trouble for having my nails done. Sign and share this so people like me don’t have to ever deal with this again. It’s time for a change and that time is now."
As of December 3, Wilkinson remained in in-school-suspension. "I am currently still in ISS and they told me that I either have to go online, or stay in ISS until I take my nails off."
For Wilkinson and many others, wearing nail polish is about the freedom to express himself. He told USA Today, "I have been doing this to express who I am. I’ve been trapped in closed-minded people’s minds...I love my nails. I think they’re so cool. I’m definitely using it to express myself and feel everyone should have freedom of expression."
\u201cNearly 60k people have signed a petition supporting @trevvowilkinson, who is pushing Clyde CISD to let male students like him wear nail polish.\n\n"This isn't just about the dress code," he said. "It's about discrimination & sexism & homophobia & racism and how not okay it is.\u201d\u201d— Daniela Ibarra KTUL (@Daniela Ibarra KTUL) 1607297382
District Superintendent Kenny Berry released a statement about the incident.
"The district conducts a diligent and thoughtful review of the dress code on an annual basis. That review process results in the development of a final dress code that is consistently implemented and enforced during the next school year. Questions or concerns with the dress code are reviewed individually, and the district cannot share any information regarding specific student. The district appreciates the feedback and input on this issue received from members of the community, and will take this into consideration when it conducts its annual review later this school year."
"I don't understand why it's any kind of a big deal," he responded. "Who does it harm? I'd like to see them just drop it — that's what they should do."
Since the story went viral, Clyde CISD has locked its Twitter account.
None— Jake From State Farm \ud83d\ude97 (@Jake From State Farm \ud83d\ude97) 1607272019
Taylor Henderson is a PRIDE.com contributor. This proud Texas Bama studied Media Production/Studies and Sociology at The University of Texas at Austin, where he developed his passions for pop culture, writing, and videography. He's absolutely obsessed with Beyoncé, mangoes, and cheesy YA novels that allow him to vicariously experience the teen years he spent in the closet. He's also writing one!
Taylor Henderson is a PRIDE.com contributor. This proud Texas Bama studied Media Production/Studies and Sociology at The University of Texas at Austin, where he developed his passions for pop culture, writing, and videography. He's absolutely obsessed with Beyoncé, mangoes, and cheesy YA novels that allow him to vicariously experience the teen years he spent in the closet. He's also writing one!
