Parent of Trans Teen Alleges Queensland Government of Data Leak That Could Have Revealed Her Child

The state government disclosed confidential details about the mother of a trans teenager – data she claims potentially “outed” her teen – to a unknown individual.

Allegations of “Intimidation” and “Privacy Violation”

The disclosure emerged as the state government was accused of “coercion” and “an invasion of privacy” after demanding confidential health records from guardians of trans youth who are contemplating a additional court case to its controversial ban on hormone blockers.

Recent Government Directive on Puberty Blockers

Last month, the Queensland health official, Tim Nicholls, enacted a fresh directive prohibiting the prescription of hormone blockers for transgender patients, shortly after the state’s supreme 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 detailed account of why the authorities decided to ban puberty blockers in the state. By law, the document must be supplied under the state’s Judicial Review Act.

Requested Medical Details

Each were required by the Queensland health department for particulars of their teen’s health background, including the minor’s identity, their date of birth and any supporting documents which supports your child having a medical confirmation of gender identity disorder”.

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

The message, which has been reviewed by the Guardian, also asked them to verify if your teen is a client of the youth gender service so that we can confirm the information submitted with the health service,” states the email, which was sent last Friday.

Mothers Describe Request as Breach of Confidentiality

All four mothers characterized the demand as an invasion of privacy.

A mother 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 teen to actually get a reply; like, it’s frightening,” she said.

Situation of the Mother

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

Earlier, the agency emailed a response intended for her to another parent, disclosing her name and location – and the fact that she had a transgender child – to a stranger. She said a government employee later apologised over the phone; the Guardian has seen an email from the agency admitting the error.

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

“My child is incredibly private. She is immensely fearful of being outed in any social setting. She doesn’t like anyone to be aware that she’s transgender,” the mother said.

“I honor that to my core as much as possible. The sole occasion I ever, ever disclose is out of necessity for obtaining entry to supports and only to people I deem trustworthy and I know well.”

The parent was particularly concerned about the suggestion it would be “verified” by the medical facility.

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

Other Mother Expresses Concerns

Sally* 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 imagine that that information could inadvertently be disclosed one day, in any manner, you know, although that was unintentional, could be deeply, deeply distressing to them.”

She responded saying the department had asked for an “excessive level of detail”.

“I would not share that information to another entity that requested it, especially in the context of the current political climate,” she said.

“It’s such intensely private information. You wouldn’t disclose, for instance, your HIV status to the government office, you know. You’d be hesitant and careful to provide such details to a bunch of bureaucrats, basically.”

Advocacy Group Considering Second Lawsuit

The advocacy organization, which assisted the mother in her case, was considering a new legal action, it said last week.

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

Authorities Position on Prohibition

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