Mother of Transgender Teen Accuses Queensland Government of Privacy Breach That Could Have ‘Outed’ Her Child

The Queensland government released confidential details about the parent of a transgender teenager – information she claims potentially exposed her teen – to a stranger.

Allegations of “Intimidation” and “Privacy Violation”

The disclosure emerged as the government was charged of “intimidation” and “an invasion of privacy” after requesting confidential medical information from parents of trans youth who are contemplating a further court case to its controversial ban on puberty blockers.

Latest Government Order on Puberty Blockers

Last month, the state health official, Tim Nicholls, enacted a fresh directive prohibiting the use of puberty blockers for transgender patients, just hours after the state’s supreme court ruled the government’s first attempt was illegal.

Guardian Australia has spoken to four mothers who have contacted Nicholls for a official paper called a explanation of decision – a detailed account of why the authorities decided to ban puberty blockers in the region. Legally, the paper must be supplied under the legal statute.

Demanded Medical Details

Each were required by the health authorities for particulars of their child’s medical history, including the minor’s identity, their birthdate and any other evidence which confirms your teen having a clinical diagnosis of gender dysphoria”.

The information were requested before the explanation would be provided.

The email, which has been seen by the media, also instructed them to “please also confirm if your teen is a client of the youth gender service so that we can verify the information provided with the health service,” states the communication, which was sent last Friday.

Parents Describe Demand as Breach of Confidentiality

Each parent characterized the request as an invasion of privacy.

A mother said she was hesitant to divulge the information because the authorities had mistakenly sent her information to a different parent.

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

Case of the Mother

Louise*, who cannot be legally identified because it would also reveal or expose her teen, was one of several who requested a explanation on multiple occasions.

In May, the department sent a reply intended for her to another parent, disclosing her identity and address – and the fact that she had a trans teen – to a third party. She said a department official later said sorry over the phone; the Guardian has obtained an email from the agency admitting the error.

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

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

“I honor that to my very being as much as humanly possible. The only time I ever share is out of need for gaining access to supports and exclusively to individuals I consider trustworthy and I trust completely.”

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

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

Other Mother Expresses Worries

Another mother said she was unwilling revealing the health background of her seven-year-old gender-diverse 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 manner, you know, even if that was unintentional, could be deeply, deeply distressing to him.”

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

“I would not share that information to any other organisation that asked for it, especially in the climate of the current political climate,” she said.

“It’s such intensely private information. You would not reveal, for example, your medical condition to the minister’s office, you know. You’d be hesitant and careful to provide any of that information to a bunch of bureaucrats, essentially.”

Legal Service Considering Further Action

The LGBTI Legal Service, which represented the mother in her challenge, was evaluating a new legal action, it said recently.

Its president, Ren Shike, said the decision had impacted about 500 Queensland children and their families and it was “important to promptly enable the supply of explanations so that minors and their parents can comprehend the reasoning behind this ruling, which has had such a severe effect on their access to healthcare”.

Authorities Stance on Prohibition

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