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

The state government released confidential details about the mother of a transgender teenager – data she says potentially “outed” her child – to a unknown individual.

Accusations of “Intimidation” and “Privacy Violation”

The disclosure came as the state government was accused of “coercion” and “an invasion of privacy” after requesting confidential medical information from guardians of trans youth who are considering a additional legal challenge to its disputed ban on puberty blockers.

Latest Official Order on Hormone Treatments

Recently, the state health minister, Tim Nicholls, enacted a new order banning the use of puberty blockers for trans individuals, shortly after the high court determined the government’s first attempt was unlawful.

Guardian Australia has interviewed four mothers who have approached Nicholls for a official paper called a statement of reasons – a detailed account of why the authorities decided to ban hormone treatments in the state. Legally, the paper must be supplied under the state’s Judicial Review Act.

Requested Health Information

Each were asked by the Queensland health department for particulars of their teen’s health background, including “your child’s name, their date of birth and any other evidence which supports your child having a clinical diagnosis of gender identity disorder”.

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

The email, which has been seen by the media, also instructed them to verify if your child is a client of the youth gender service so that we can verify the information submitted with the health service,” states the email, which was dispatched last Friday.

Parents Describe Demand as Breach of Confidentiality

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

A mother said she was reluctant to divulge the information because the authorities had mistakenly sent her information to a another individual.

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

Case of the Mother

Louise*, who must remain anonymous because it would also reveal or expose her child, was one of several who asked for a explanation on multiple occasions.

In May, the department emailed a reply intended for her to someone else, revealing her identity and location – and the detail that she had a trans teen – to a third party. She said a department official later apologised by telephone; 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 child is very reserved. She is immensely fearful of being exposed in any social setting. She dislikes people to be aware that she’s transgender,” Louise said.

“I honor that to my core as much as humanly possible. The only time I ever, ever disclose is out of need for gaining access to services and only to individuals I deem trustworthy and I know well.”

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

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

Additional Mother Voices Worries

Sally* said she was unwilling revealing the medical history of her seven-year-old gender-diverse child.

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

“To think that that information could accidentally be leaked someday, in any manner, you know, although that was accidental, could be extremely upsetting to him.”

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

“I wouldn’t provide that information to another entity that requested it, particularly in the climate of the present environment,” she said.

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

Legal Service Considering Further Action

The advocacy organization, which assisted the parent in her case, was considering a new legal action, it said recently.

The head, Ren Shike, said the decision had affected about 500 Queensland children and their families and it was crucial to efficiently facilitate the provision of reasons so that minors and their guardians can comprehend the reasoning behind this decision, which has had such a devastating impact on their access to healthcare”.

Government Stance on Ban

The government has consistently said the prohibition would stay enforced until a review into trans healthcare had been completed.