Mother of Transgender Teen Accuses Queensland Government of Privacy Breach That Could Have Revealed Her Child

The state government released private details about the mother of a transgender teenager – information she says potentially “outed” her teen – to a stranger.

Allegations of “Bullying” and “Invasion of Privacy”

The disclosure emerged as the state government was charged of “intimidation” and “an invasion of privacy” after demanding private health records from parents of transgender children who are considering a further legal challenge to its disputed ban on hormone blockers.

Recent Government Order on Puberty Blockers

Last month, the state health official, Tim Nicholls, enacted a new order banning the use of hormone blockers for transgender patients, shortly after the high court determined the initial ban was illegal.

Guardian Australia has interviewed four mothers who have contacted Nicholls for a legal document called a explanation of decision – a detailed account of why the government decided to prohibit hormone treatments in the region. Legally, the paper must be provided under the state’s Judicial Review Act.

Requested Medical Details

All four were asked by the Queensland health department for particulars of their child’s medical history, including “your child’s name, their birthdate and any supporting documents which confirms your teen having a medical confirmation of gender dysphoria”.

The details were sought before the explanation would be released.

The email, which has been reviewed by the Guardian, also instructed them to “please also confirm if your child is a patient of the Queensland Children’s Gender Clinic so that we can confirm the data provided with the health service,” reads the communication, which was sent last Friday.

Parents Describe Request as Invasion of Privacy

Each parent described the request as an invasion of privacy.

One parent said she was hesitant to divulge the information because the authorities had mistakenly forwarded her information to a another individual.

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

Case of Louise*

Louise*, who cannot be legally identified because it would also identify or “out” her child, was one of several who requested a statement of reasons on multiple occasions.

In May, the agency emailed a response intended for her to another parent, revealing her name and address – and the fact that she had a trans teen – to a third party. She said a department official later apologised over the phone; the media has obtained an email from the agency admitting the mistake.

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

“My daughter is incredibly private. She is deeply afraid of being exposed in any social setting. She doesn’t like anyone to be aware that she’s trans,” Louise said.

“I honor that to my core as much as possible. The sole occasion I ever, ever share is out of necessity for gaining access to supports and only to individuals I deem trustworthy and I know well.”

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

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

Other Parent Voices Concerns

Another mother said she was unwilling disclosing the health background of her seven-year-old non-binary child.

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

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

She responded saying the department had requested an “extraordinary amount of information”.

“I would not share that data to any other organisation that requested it, particularly in the climate of the present environment,” she said.

“It’s such highly confidential information. You would not reveal, for instance, your medical condition to the minister’s office, you know. You’d be hesitant and careful to provide such details to a group of officials, essentially.”

Advocacy Group Weighing Second Lawsuit

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

Its president, Ren Shike, said the decision had affected about hundreds of minors and their relatives and it was crucial to efficiently facilitate the provision of reasons so that minors and their parents can comprehend the reasoning behind this ruling, which has had such a severe effect on their access to healthcare”.

Authorities Stance on Ban

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