Parent of Trans Teen Accuses Queensland Government of Data Leak That Could Have ‘Outed’ Her Child

The state government released private information about the mother of a transgender teenager – information she says potentially exposed her child – to a stranger.

Accusations of “Bullying” and “Invasion of Privacy”

The revelation came as the state government was charged of “intimidation” and “an invasion of privacy” after demanding private medical information from guardians of trans youth who are considering a additional court case to its disputed prohibition on hormone blockers.

Recent Government Directive on Puberty Blockers

Recently, the Queensland health minister, Tim Nicholls, issued a new order prohibiting the prescription of hormone blockers for transgender patients, shortly after the high court determined the initial ban was illegal.

Media has interviewed four mothers who have contacted Nicholls for a legal document called a explanation of decision – a formal explanation of why the authorities decided to ban hormone treatments in the state. Legally, the document must be supplied under the legal statute.

Demanded Medical Details

All four were required by the Queensland health department for particulars of their child’s medical history, including “your child’s name, their date of birth and any other evidence which supports your child having a clinical diagnosis of gender identity disorder”.

The details were requested before the explanation would be provided.

The message, which has been seen by the Guardian, also asked them to “please also confirm if your teen is a client of the youth gender service so that we can confirm the information submitted with the health service,” reads the email, which was dispatched recently.

Mothers Describe Demand as Invasion of Privacy

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

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

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

Case of Louise*

Louise*, who cannot be legally identified because it would also reveal or “out” her teen, was among those who requested a statement of reasons on multiple occasions.

Earlier, the department sent a response intended for her to someone else, disclosing her name and address – and the detail that she had a trans teen – to a third party. She said a department official later apologised by telephone; the Guardian has obtained an email from the agency confirming the mistake.

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

“My daughter is very reserved. She is immensely fearful of being exposed in any social setting. She dislikes anyone to be aware that she’s transgender,” Louise said.

“I honor that to my very being as much as humanly possible. The sole occasion I ever disclose is out of necessity for gaining access to services and exclusively to individuals I consider incredibly safe and I know well.”

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

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

Additional Mother Expresses Concerns

Sally* said she was unwilling revealing the health background of her seven-year-old gender-diverse child.

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

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

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

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

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

Advocacy Group Considering Further Action

The LGBTI Legal Service, which represented the mother in her case, was evaluating a second lawsuit, it said last week.

The head, Ren Shike, said the ruling had impacted about 500 Queensland children and their relatives and it was crucial to promptly enable the provision of reasons so that children and their parents can comprehend the reasoning behind this decision, which has had such a devastating impact on their access to healthcare”.

Government Stance on Prohibition

The authorities has consistently said the ban would remain in place until a examination into trans healthcare had been finished.