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

The Queensland government disclosed confidential information about the mother of a trans teenager – data she claims potentially exposed her teen – to a unknown individual.

Allegations of “Intimidation” and “Privacy Violation”

The revelation came as the government was charged of “coercion” and “an invasion of privacy” after requesting confidential medical information from guardians of transgender children who are contemplating a additional court case to its controversial ban on hormone blockers.

Recent Official Order on Hormone Treatments

Recently, the state health minister, Tim Nicholls, issued a fresh directive prohibiting the prescription of puberty blockers for trans individuals, just hours after the high court ruled the government’s first attempt was unlawful.

Media has spoken to several parents who have contacted Nicholls for a official paper called a explanation of decision – a formal explanation of why the government decided to prohibit hormone treatments in the region. By law, the document must be supplied under the legal statute.

Demanded Health Information

All four were asked by the health authorities for particulars of their teen’s health background, including the minor’s identity, their birthdate and any other evidence which supports your child having a clinical diagnosis of gender identity disorder”.

The information were requested before the explanation would be released.

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

Parents Describe Demand as Breach of Confidentiality

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

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

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

Case of Louise*

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

In May, the agency sent a response meant for her to another parent, disclosing her identity and address – and the detail that she had a trans teen – to a third party. She said a department official later said sorry over the phone; the media has obtained an message from the agency admitting the error.

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

“My daughter is incredibly private. She is immensely fearful of being outed in any social setting. She doesn’t like people to know that she’s transgender,” Louise said.

“I respect that to my core as much as humanly possible. The sole occasion I ever share is out of need for obtaining entry to supports and exclusively to individuals I deem incredibly safe and I know well.”

The parent was particularly concerned about the implication it would be “verified” by the hospital.

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

Other Parent Voices Worries

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

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

“To think that that information could inadvertently be disclosed someday, in any manner, you know, even if that was accidental, could be deeply, deeply distressing to him.”

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

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

“It’s such highly confidential information. You wouldn’t disclose, for instance, your medical condition to the government office, you know. You’d be very reluctant and very cautious to submit any of that information to a bunch of bureaucrats, essentially.”

Advocacy Group Weighing Second Lawsuit

The advocacy organization, which represented the mother in her challenge, was considering a new legal action, it said recently.

The head, Ren Shike, said the ruling had affected about hundreds of minors and their relatives and it was crucial to promptly enable the supply of explanations so that minors and their guardians can comprehend the reasoning behind this ruling, which has had such a devastating impact on their access to healthcare”.

Government Stance on Prohibition

The authorities has repeatedly said the prohibition would remain in place until a review into trans healthcare had been completed.