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

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

Allegations of “Intimidation” and “Privacy Violation”

The revelation emerged as the government was accused of “intimidation” and “an invasion of privacy” after requesting confidential medical information from parents of transgender children who are contemplating a further court case to its disputed prohibition on puberty blockers.

Latest Government Order on Hormone Treatments

Recently, the Queensland health official, Tim Nicholls, enacted a new order banning the prescription of hormone blockers for transgender patients, shortly after the high court ruled the initial ban was illegal.

Media has spoken to four mothers who have contacted Nicholls for a official paper called a statement of reasons – a detailed account of why the authorities made a decision to prohibit puberty blockers in the state. Legally, the paper must be provided under the legal statute.

Demanded Health Information

All four were asked by the health authorities for particulars of their child’s medical history, including “your child’s name, their date of birth and any supporting documents which supports your child having a clinical diagnosis of gender identity disorder”.

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

The message, which has been reviewed by the media, also instructed them to verify if your teen is a client of the youth gender service so that we can verify the data submitted with Children’s Health Queensland,” states the communication, which was dispatched last Friday.

Parents Label Demand as Breach of Confidentiality

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

One parent said she was hesitant to share 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 reply; like, it’s terrifying,” she said.

Case of the Mother

The parent, who must remain anonymous because it would also identify or expose her teen, was one of several who asked for a explanation both times.

Earlier, the agency emailed a reply meant for her to another parent, disclosing her name and location – and the detail that she had a transgender child – to a third party. She said a department official later said sorry by telephone; the Guardian has obtained an email from the department admitting the mistake.

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

“My daughter is incredibly private. She is deeply afraid of being exposed in any social setting. She dislikes anyone to know that she’s trans,” Louise said.

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

Louise was especially worried about the implication it would be “confirmed” by the medical facility.

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

Other Parent Voices Concerns

Sally* said she was not comfortable disclosing the medical history of her young gender-diverse child.

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

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

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

“I wouldn’t provide that data to another entity that asked for it, especially in the context of the present environment,” she said.

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

Legal Service Weighing Second Lawsuit

The LGBTI Legal Service, which assisted the parent in her challenge, was considering a new legal action, it said recently.

Its president, Ren Shike, said the ruling had affected about 500 Queensland children and their families and it was “important to efficiently facilitate the provision of explanations so that minors and their guardians can comprehend the logic behind this ruling, which has had such a severe effect on their access to healthcare”.

Authorities Position on Prohibition

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