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

The Queensland government released private details about the mother of a transgender teenager – information she claims potentially “outed” her teen – to a unknown individual.

Accusations of “Bullying” and “Privacy Violation”

The revelation emerged as the state government was charged of “coercion” and “an invasion of privacy” after demanding private medical information from parents of transgender children who are considering a additional court case to its controversial ban on puberty blockers.

Recent Official Directive on Puberty Blockers

Recently, the state health minister, Tim Nicholls, issued a new order prohibiting the use of puberty blockers for trans individuals, just hours after the high court determined the initial ban was unlawful.

Media has spoken to four mothers who have approached Nicholls for a legal document called a explanation of decision – a detailed account of why the government made a decision to ban puberty blockers in the state. Legally, the document must be supplied under the legal statute.

Demanded Health Information

Each were asked 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 medical confirmation of gender dysphoria”.

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

The message, which has been reviewed by the Guardian, also asked them to verify if your child is a patient of the Queensland Children’s Gender Clinic so that we can verify the information submitted with the health service,” reads the email, which was dispatched recently.

Mothers Label Request as Invasion of Privacy

All four mothers 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 data to a another individual.

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

Situation of Louise*

The parent, who cannot be legally identified because it would also identify or “out” her teen, was one of several who asked for a explanation on multiple occasions.

In May, the department sent a reply intended for her to someone else, disclosing her name and address – and the detail that she had a transgender child – to a stranger. She said a government employee later said sorry by telephone; the media has seen an message from the agency admitting the error.

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

“My daughter is incredibly private. She is deeply afraid of being exposed in any public space. She dislikes anyone to be aware that she’s transgender,” the mother said.

“I respect that to my core as much as humanly possible. The sole occasion I ever, ever disclose is out of need for obtaining entry to supports and only to people I consider incredibly safe and I know well.”

Louise was particularly concerned about the implication it would be “confirmed” by the medical facility.

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

Other Parent Voices Worries

Another mother said she was unwilling revealing the health background of her young gender-diverse child.

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

“To imagine that that data could accidentally be leaked one day, in any way, you know, even if that was unintentional, could be extremely upsetting to them.”

She responded saying the agency had requested an “excessive level of detail”.

“I would not share that information to another entity that requested it, particularly in the climate of the present environment,” she said.

“It’s such highly confidential information. You would not reveal, for instance, your medical condition to the government office, you know. You’d be hesitant and very cautious to provide such details to a bunch of bureaucrats, essentially.”

Advocacy Group Considering Further Action

The LGBTI Legal Service, which represented the parent in her case, was considering 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 efficiently facilitate the supply of explanations so that children and their parents can comprehend the logic behind this decision, which has had such a devastating impact on their access to healthcare”.

Authorities Position on Ban

The government has repeatedly said the prohibition would remain in place until a review into gender-affirming care had been completed.