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

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

Accusations of “Intimidation” and “Privacy Violation”

The disclosure came as the state government was charged of “coercion” and “an invasion of privacy” after demanding private medical information from guardians of transgender children who are contemplating a additional court case to its disputed ban on puberty blockers.

Latest Official Directive on Hormone Treatments

Recently, the Queensland health official, Tim Nicholls, issued a fresh directive banning the use of puberty blockers for transgender patients, just hours after the high court determined the initial ban was illegal.

Guardian Australia has interviewed several parents who have approached Nicholls for a official paper called a explanation of decision – a detailed account of why the government decided to prohibit puberty blockers in the state. Legally, the paper must be supplied under the legal statute.

Demanded Health Information

Each were asked by the health authorities for details of their child’s medical history, including “your child’s name, their birthdate and any other evidence which confirms your child having a medical confirmation of gender identity disorder”.

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

The message, which has been reviewed by the media, also asked them to verify if your teen is a patient of the youth gender service so that we can confirm the data provided with Children’s Health Queensland,” states the email, which was sent recently.

Parents Describe Request as Breach of Confidentiality

All four mothers characterized the request as an violation of confidentiality.

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

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

Situation of the Mother

The parent, who must remain anonymous because it would also reveal or “out” her child, was among those who asked for a explanation both times.

In May, the agency sent a reply intended for her to someone else, revealing her identity and location – and the fact that she had a transgender child – to a third party. She said a department official later said sorry by telephone; the Guardian has seen an email from the department admitting the error.

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

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

“I honor that to my very being as much as possible. The only time I 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 “verified” by the medical facility.

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

Additional Mother Expresses Concerns

Another mother said she was not comfortable revealing the health background of her young gender-diverse child.

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

“To think that that data could accidentally be disclosed someday, in any way, you know, although that was unintentional, could be extremely upsetting to him.”

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

“I would not share that data to another entity that requested it, especially in the context of the present environment,” she said.

“It’s such intensely private information. You wouldn’t disclose, for instance, your HIV status to the minister’s office, you know. You’d be hesitant and very cautious to provide such details to a group of officials, essentially.”

Legal Service Weighing Second Lawsuit

The LGBTI Legal Service, which assisted the parent in her case, was evaluating a second lawsuit, it said recently.

The head, Ren Shike, said the ruling had impacted about 500 Queensland children and their families and it was “important to efficiently facilitate the supply of explanations so that minors and their parents can comprehend the reasoning behind this decision, which has had such a devastating impact on their medical care”.

Government Position on Ban

The government has repeatedly said the prohibition would stay enforced until a examination into gender-affirming care had been finished.