This Gay Teen Fought School Over Nail Polish Suspension — And Won

This is what change looks like.

In December, the 17-year-old Trevor Wilkinson made headlines after speaking out over being suspended for wearing nail polish. The Clyde High School student penned a petition detailing that he was sentenced to in-school suspension for his nail paint. He called for the school to change its rules "because girls are allowed to paint and get their nails done." The missive racked up over 400,000 signatures and landed the story on USA Today, Out, and Good Morning America. Wilkinson also did work offline, heading to a school board meeting and speaking out in person.

"This isn't about me anymore," he told the board while wearing painted nails. "It's about a discriminatory, sexist policy that needs to be changed." And now it has.

According to KTXS, on Monday Clyde CISD school board voted on Monday evening to change the wording in its student handbook, no longer separating guidelines by gender.

"It is with great honor that I am pleased to announce that Clyde High School's dress code is officially gender neutral forever," Wilkinson told KTXS. Along the way, Wilkinson had received the help of even the ACLU, whose Texas chapter wrote a 54-page letter that took issue with the policy. "I'm at a loss of words for the joy I am feeling on this special day. I am so blessed by the support, love, and help I have received through this experience."

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