Peaceful protestors rallied near Albuquerque, New Mexico‘s St. Pius X High School Monday to support a transgender student who wants to wear a male robe to graduation, but was told he must wear a female one.

Damian Garcia identifies as male and since male students wear black robes, wants to wear a black robe. But since Garcia’s birth certificate says female, school officials say Garcia should wear a white robe like all female students.

An online petition demanding Damian be allowed to wear black has already gained more than 23,000 signatures.

Damian’s supporters plan to bring that petition to the archbishop today. They hope those signatures, and today’s protest, will change minds.

Damian said he hopes other transgender students also see the support he’s received.

“Hopefully it does affect some sort of change whether it’s the decision or other people getting to be more accepted,” Garcia said.