But the teachers were forced to backtrack when the pupil’s classmates – including the boys – supported her decision by turning up for classes in dresses.

They then posted the images on social media where they quickly ended up being widely shared.

Maria said: “I always turned up in trousers but I felt repressed and for me wearing a skirt was about expressing my freedom over who I am inside and not how society sees me.

“I am really happy about the way my classmates supported me and I hope it serves as an example to others to feel encouraged to do the right thing. I was always taught at school to accept who you are, I am only trying to live that.”

After the protest, the Brazilian school principal said they were considering relaxing the school rules.

“The sexual orientation is not important for us, all our students are equal. However, the uniform determines male and female clothing, but we will study a new manual of coexistence”, he said.