LGBTQIA Group Threatens Clyde ISD Over Nail Polish Controversy

CLYDE, TX – The next chapter in the saga of Trevor Wilkinson versus the Clyde CISD is kicking off.

Back in December, Wilkinson was suspended for wearing nail polish to school. The story gained national attention and his online petition received more than 400,000 signatures.

At the time Superintendent Kenny Berry stated no changes will be made to the existing dress code. 

Now three months later the Clyde CISD school board will hold the "first reading of 2021-2022 draft district dress code."

This would be the first time the school board could indicate if they plan to make any changes.

"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," said Berry in a statement.

Back in December, the Abilene Pride Alliance sent a statement in support of Wilkinson and his attempt to update the dress code. 

"I am writing to you today on behalf of the Abilene Pride Alliance, an LGBTQIA organization dedicated to the protection and advancement of all people in the LGBTQIA+ family."

"It has come to our attention that your school district is maintaining and choosing to enforce a policy that in itself discriminates based on gender. Specifically, you have chosen to punish a male student for wearing nail polish to school."

"We are hopeful that the intent of this action was not to be directly discriminatory. But unfortunately, the outcome is that this policy and its enforcement have discriminated against this child and possibly more before him."

"It is our hope that we can work with Clyde CISD to immediately rectify this situation the student is currently in and ensure that going forward, the school district follows TASB recommendations to dissolve policies that treat students differently based on sex expression."

"We are asking for this discriminatory policy to immediately be addressed at your next school board meeting and that the child in question be released from suspension with an official apology from the School District."

"We believe that no matter your orientation, race, or gender, we are all one Big Country family. We want to move forward in cooperation in that fashion. However, if CISD chooses not to work toward our shared values of equality and grace, we will have no option but to defend this student and any LGBTQIA students that happen to find themselves being discriminated against."

"Discrimination and hate are not Big Country values. We are asking that you help us cooperate and put differences aside to work toward the best outcomes for Clyde ISD and its students."

The meeting will be held on March 15 at 6:00 p.m.