Mother of Trans Teen Alleges Queensland Government of Privacy Breach That Could Have ‘Outed’ Her Child

The Queensland government released confidential information about the mother of a trans teenager – information she claims potentially exposed her child – to a stranger.

Accusations of “Intimidation” and “Invasion of Privacy”

The disclosure emerged as the government was charged of “coercion” and “an invasion of privacy” after requesting confidential medical information from parents of transgender children who are considering a further court case to its controversial ban on hormone blockers.

Recent Government Order on Puberty Blockers

Recently, the state health official, Tim Nicholls, enacted a fresh directive prohibiting the prescription of puberty blockers for transgender patients, shortly after the high court ruled the government’s first attempt was unlawful.

Media has interviewed four mothers who have contacted Nicholls for a official paper called a explanation of decision – a detailed account of why the authorities made a decision to ban puberty blockers in the state. By law, the document must be supplied under the state’s Judicial Review Act.

Demanded Health Information

All four were asked by the health authorities for particulars of their child’s medical history, including “your child’s name, their birthdate and any supporting documents which confirms your teen having a medical confirmation of gender identity disorder”.

The information were sought before the explanation would be released.

The message, which has been seen by the Guardian, also asked them to “please also confirm if your child is a client of the Queensland Children’s Gender Clinic so that we can confirm the data provided with Children’s Health Queensland,” states the email, which was sent recently.

Mothers Label Demand as Invasion of Privacy

Each parent characterized the demand as an violation of confidentiality.

A mother said she was hesitant to divulge the details because the state government had accidentally sent her data to a different parent.

“It seems like having to ‘out’ your teen to obtain a reply; like, it’s frightening,” she said.

Case of Louise*

Louise*, who cannot be legally identified because it would also reveal or “out” her teen, was one of several who requested a statement of reasons on multiple occasions.

In May, the department emailed a response intended for her to another parent, disclosing her identity and location – and the fact that she had a trans teen – to a stranger. She said a department official later said sorry over the phone; the media has seen an message from the agency confirming the mistake.

She said she felt “ill and vulnerable” as a consequence of the blunder.

“My daughter is incredibly private. She is deeply afraid of being outed in any public space. She doesn’t like anyone to be aware that she’s transgender,” Louise said.

“I honor that to my core as much as humanly possible. The only time I ever disclose is out of necessity for obtaining entry to supports and only to individuals I deem incredibly safe and I trust completely.”

Louise was especially worried about the implication it would be “confirmed” by the medical facility.

She said the request was “intimidating” and “seems coercive”.

Additional Parent Expresses Worries

Sally* said she was unwilling disclosing the medical history of her young gender-diverse child.

“It’s not my data, it’s a seven-year-old’s details,” she said.

“To think that that information could inadvertently be disclosed someday, in any manner, you know, although that was accidental, could be extremely upsetting to him.”

She wrote back saying the agency had requested an “extraordinary amount of information”.

“I would not share that information to any other organisation that asked for it, particularly in the climate of the present environment,” she said.

“It’s such intensely private information. You would not reveal, for instance, your medical condition to the government office, you know. You’d be hesitant and careful to provide such details to a group of officials, essentially.”

Advocacy Group Considering Further Action

The advocacy organization, which represented the parent in her challenge, was considering a new legal action, it said recently.

Its president, Ren Shike, said the decision had impacted about hundreds of minors and their families and it was crucial to efficiently facilitate the supply of explanations so that minors and their parents can understand the logic behind this decision, which has had such a severe effect on their medical care”.

Authorities Position on Prohibition

The authorities has consistently said the ban would stay enforced until a examination into trans healthcare had been completed.