Parent of Trans Teen Alleges Queensland Government of Privacy Breach That Could Have Revealed Her Child

The Queensland government released confidential information about the mother of a transgender teenager – information she says potentially exposed her teen – to a unknown individual.

Accusations of “Intimidation” and “Invasion of Privacy”

The revelation came as the state government was accused of “intimidation” and “a breach of confidentiality” after demanding private health records from guardians of transgender children who are considering a additional court case to its disputed prohibition on hormone blockers.

Latest Government Order on Hormone Treatments

Last month, the Queensland health minister, Tim Nicholls, enacted a new order prohibiting the prescription of hormone blockers for transgender patients, shortly after the state’s supreme court determined the government’s first attempt was illegal.

Guardian Australia has interviewed several parents who have approached Nicholls for a legal document called a statement of reasons – a formal explanation of why the authorities decided to ban puberty blockers in the state. By law, the document must be supplied under the legal statute.

Requested Medical Details

All four were required by the health authorities for details of their child’s medical history, including “your child’s name, their birthdate and any other evidence which confirms your teen having a clinical diagnosis of gender dysphoria”.

The details were requested before the statement of reasons would be released.

The message, which has been reviewed by the media, also instructed 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 submitted with the health service,” states the email, which was sent recently.

Parents Describe Demand as Breach of Confidentiality

Each parent described the demand as an invasion of privacy.

One parent said she was reluctant to share the information because the authorities had mistakenly forwarded her information to a another individual.

“It feels like having to reveal your teen to actually get a response; like, it’s frightening,” she said.

Case of Louise*

Louise*, who cannot be legally identified because it would also identify or expose her teen, was among those who asked for a explanation both times.

Earlier, the agency sent a response meant for her to another parent, disclosing her identity and location – and the fact that she had a transgender child – to a stranger. She said a government employee later said sorry over the phone; the Guardian has seen an email from the department admitting the mistake.

She said she felt “sick and unsafe” as a consequence of the error.

“My child is very reserved. She is immensely fearful of being outed in any social setting. She doesn’t like anyone to be aware that she’s trans,” Louise said.

“I respect that to my core as much as humanly possible. The sole occasion I ever, ever share is out of necessity for obtaining entry to supports and exclusively to individuals I consider trustworthy and I know well.”

Louise was especially worried about the implication it would be “verified” by the hospital.

She said the demand was “threatening” and “feels threatening”.

Additional Mother Expresses Concerns

Another mother said she was not comfortable disclosing the health background of her seven-year-old non-binary child.

“It’s not my information, it’s a child’s information,” she said.

“To imagine that that information could inadvertently be disclosed one day, in any way, you know, although that was unintentional, could be deeply, deeply distressing to him.”

She responded saying the agency had asked for an “extraordinary amount of information”.

“I wouldn’t provide that data to another entity that asked for it, particularly in the climate of the current political climate,” she said.

“It’s such highly confidential stuff. You wouldn’t disclose, for example, your medical condition to the government office, you know. You’d be very reluctant and very cautious to submit any of that information to a group of officials, essentially.”

Legal Service Weighing Second Lawsuit

The LGBTI Legal Service, which assisted the mother in her challenge, was considering a second lawsuit, it said last week.

Its president, Ren Shike, said the decision had impacted about hundreds of minors and their relatives and it was crucial to promptly enable the provision of reasons so that minors and their parents can comprehend the logic behind this decision, which has had such a severe effect on their access to healthcare”.

Authorities Stance on Ban

The authorities has consistently said the ban would remain in place until a examination into gender-affirming care had been completed.