December 7, 2020
Watch: Suspended for Nail Polish, Gay Student Won't Back Down
Kilian Melloy READ TIME: 2 MIN.
A gay Texas student who was suspended for refusing to remove his nail polish says he'll go right on being suspended in protest of the school's policy, ABC News reports.
Trevor Wilkinson, a high school senior at Clyde High School in Clyde, Texas, returned to school on the Monday after Thanksgiving with elaborately painted nails that depict tongues of flame in different colors. Because the wearing of nail polish by male students is forbidden by the school's dress code, the teen was put into "in school suspension," or iss, the news channel reported.
Wilkinson posted photos of himself on social media with tear-filled eyes after being placed on suspension. He then launched a Change.org petition to press for a change in the school's policy.
Wilkinson wrote at Change.org that "freedom of expression is validation enough that the dress code and policy is not okay.
"I am a gay male and I'm beyond proud," Wilkinson went on to write, adding: "I am a human. I am valid. I should not get in trouble for having my nails done."
The petition quickly racked up thousands of signatures. As of the morning of Dec. 7, more than 68,000 people had signed on.
Informed that he could enroll in online classes, take off his nail polish, or remain in suspension, the teen decided on the latter course, he said in an update at his Change.org petition.
"It is a complete double standard because girls are allowed to have any form of nails they want, and honestly they can express themselves in any way they want," Wilkinson told ABC News, reiterating that he intended to remain suspended rather than remove the designs from his fingernails.
The school released a statement in which it said that it would consider commentary it has received over Wilkinson's suspension and its dress code when it conducts an annual review of its policies "later this school year," ABC News reports.
Watch the ABC News clip below.
Kilian Melloy serves as EDGE Media Network's Associate Arts Editor and Staff Contributor. His professional memberships include the National Lesbian & Gay Journalists Association, the Boston Online Film Critics Association, The Gay and Lesbian Entertainment Critics Association, and the Boston Theater Critics Association's Elliot Norton Awards Committee.
