Mother of Transgender Teen Accuses Queensland Government of Data Leak That Could Have ‘Outed’ Her Child

The state government disclosed private information about the parent of a trans teenager – information she claims potentially exposed her teen – to a unknown individual.

Accusations of “Intimidation” and “Invasion of Privacy”

The disclosure came as the government was charged of “intimidation” and “a breach of confidentiality” after requesting confidential medical information from parents of trans youth who are considering a further legal challenge to its disputed prohibition on puberty blockers.

Latest Government Directive on Hormone Treatments

Last month, the state health official, Tim Nicholls, issued a new order prohibiting the use of hormone blockers for transgender patients, shortly after the high court ruled the government’s first attempt was unlawful.

Guardian Australia has interviewed four mothers who have contacted Nicholls for a official paper called a statement of reasons – a formal explanation of why the government decided to prohibit hormone treatments in the state. By law, the document must be supplied under the state’s Judicial Review Act.

Requested Health Information

Each were asked by the Queensland health department for particulars of their teen’s health background, including the minor’s identity, their birthdate and any other evidence which supports your teen having a clinical diagnosis of gender identity disorder”.

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

The message, which has been reviewed by the Guardian, also instructed them to verify if your child is a patient of the Queensland Children’s Gender Clinic so that we can confirm the data provided with the health service,” reads the communication, which was sent last Friday.

Parents Describe Demand as Invasion of Privacy

Each parent described the demand as an violation of confidentiality.

One parent said she was hesitant to divulge the details because the state government had mistakenly sent her data to a different parent.

“It seems like having to ‘out’ your child to actually get a response; like, it’s frightening,” she said.

Case of the Mother

Louise*, who cannot be legally identified because it would also identify or expose her child, was among those who requested a statement of reasons both times.

Earlier, the agency sent a reply meant for her to another parent, revealing her identity and location – and the detail that she had a transgender child – to a stranger. She said a department official later apologised over the phone; the Guardian has obtained an email from the agency admitting the error.

She said she felt “ill and vulnerable” as a result of the error.

“My daughter is incredibly private. She is immensely fearful of being outed in any public space. She dislikes anyone to know 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 services and only to people I consider incredibly safe and I trust completely.”

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

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

Other Parent Voices Worries

Another mother said she was unwilling revealing the medical history of her seven-year-old gender-diverse child.

“It’s not my data, it’s a seven-year-old’s information,” 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 them.”

She wrote back saying the agency had asked for an “excessive level of detail”.

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

“It’s such intensely private information. You wouldn’t disclose, for example, your medical condition to the government office, you know. You’d be very reluctant and careful to submit such details to a bunch of bureaucrats, essentially.”

Advocacy Group Weighing Further Action

The LGBTI Legal Service, which represented the mother in her challenge, was evaluating a second lawsuit, it said recently.

The head, Ren Shike, said the decision had affected about hundreds of minors and their relatives and it was crucial to promptly enable the supply of reasons so that children and their guardians can comprehend the logic behind this ruling, which has had such a severe effect on their medical care”.

Authorities Position on Ban

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