Male Student Sent To ISS For Wearing Nail Polish

CLYDE, TX -- A male student at Clyde High School is protesting a school dress code policy that landed him in in-school suspension.

According to Trevor Wilkinson, he was sent to ISS after wearing nail polish to school. Wilkinson, who is openly gay, says the district told him he would be suspended from attending class on campus until he removed them.

"I was told that I will continue to get ISS until I take them off," said Wilkinson in the petition he created. " It’s a complete double standard because girls are allowed to paint and get their nails done."

According to the student handbook, male students are prohibited from wearing make-up and nail polish.

"If the campus administrator determines that a student’s grooming or clothing violates the school’s dress code, the student will be given an opportunity to correct the problem at school," reads the handbook. "If not corrected, the student may be assigned to in-school suspension for the remainder of the day, until the problem is corrected, or until a parent or designee brings an acceptable change of clothing to the school. Repeated offenses may result in more serious disciplinary action in accordance with the Student Code of Conduct."

In the petition, Wilkinson says "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. This is unjust and not okay."

In response to the controversy Superintendent Kenny Berr stated the district will not make changes to the dress code this year.

"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. Parents and students are provided a copy of the dress code prior to the start of each new school year," stated Berr.

"Questions or concerns with the dress code are reviewed individually, and the District cannot share any information regarding a 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."

Meanwhile, Wilkinson's petition has garnered nearly 7,000 signatures. 

"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," said Wilkinson. "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. Thank you."