Mother of Transgender Teen Accuses Queensland Government of Privacy Breach That Could Have ‘Outed’ Her Child

The Queensland government disclosed private information about the mother of a transgender teenager – information she says potentially “outed” her child – to a stranger.

Allegations of “Intimidation” and “Invasion of Privacy”

The disclosure came as the state government was accused of “coercion” and “an invasion of privacy” after requesting private medical information from parents of trans youth who are considering a further legal challenge to its disputed prohibition on hormone blockers.

Recent Government Order on Puberty Blockers

Recently, the Queensland health minister, Tim Nicholls, enacted a new order banning the use of hormone blockers for transgender patients, just hours after the state’s supreme court ruled the government’s first attempt was unlawful.

Guardian Australia has spoken to four mothers who have contacted Nicholls for a legal document called a statement of reasons – a formal explanation of why the authorities decided to ban hormone treatments in the region. Legally, the document must be supplied under the state’s Judicial Review Act.

Demanded Health Information

Each were required by the health authorities 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 medical confirmation of gender identity disorder”.

The details were sought before the explanation would be provided.

The email, which has been seen by the Guardian, also instructed 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 Children’s Health Queensland,” reads the email, which was sent last Friday.

Parents Label Demand as Breach of Confidentiality

Each parent characterized the demand as an violation of confidentiality.

One parent said she was hesitant to share the details because the authorities had mistakenly sent her information to a different parent.

“It feels like having to reveal your child to obtain a reply; like, it’s frightening,” she said.

Situation of the Mother

The parent, who must remain anonymous because it would also identify or “out” her child, was among those who asked for a explanation on multiple occasions.

Earlier, the agency sent a response intended for her to someone else, disclosing her identity and location – and the fact that she had a transgender child – to a stranger. She said a department official later said sorry by telephone; the media has seen an email from the agency admitting the mistake.

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

“My daughter is very reserved. She is deeply afraid of being outed in any public space. She doesn’t like anyone to know that she’s trans,” Louise said.

“I honor that to my very being as much as humanly possible. The sole occasion I ever, ever share is out of need for obtaining entry to supports and only to individuals I consider trustworthy and I know well.”

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

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

Other Mother Voices Concerns

Sally* said she was unwilling revealing the medical history of her young non-binary child.

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

“To imagine that that information could inadvertently be leaked one day, in any manner, you know, although that was unintentional, could be extremely upsetting to them.”

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

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

“It’s such highly confidential stuff. You wouldn’t disclose, for instance, your HIV status to the minister’s office, you know. You’d be very reluctant and careful to provide any of that information to a group of officials, basically.”

Advocacy Group Considering Second Lawsuit

The advocacy organization, which represented the mother in her challenge, was considering a second lawsuit, it said last week.

Its president, Ren Shike, said the ruling had impacted about 500 Queensland children and their relatives and it was crucial to promptly enable the supply of explanations so that minors and their guardians can understand the reasoning behind this decision, which has had such a severe effect on their medical care”.

Government Stance on Prohibition

The authorities has consistently said the prohibition would stay enforced until a review into gender-affirming care had been completed.