Mother of Transgender Teen Alleges State Government of Data Leak That Could Have Revealed Her Child

The state government disclosed confidential information about the mother of a transgender teenager – information she says potentially “outed” her teen – to a unknown individual.

Allegations of “Intimidation” and “Invasion of Privacy”

The disclosure emerged as the state government was charged of “coercion” and “a breach of confidentiality” after requesting private medical information from guardians of trans youth who are considering a further legal challenge to its controversial ban on puberty blockers.

Latest Official Order on Hormone Treatments

Last month, the Queensland health minister, Tim Nicholls, issued a fresh directive prohibiting the prescription of puberty 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 statement of reasons – a formal explanation of why the government decided to ban hormone treatments in the state. Legally, the document must be provided under the state’s Judicial Review Act.

Demanded Medical Details

All four were asked by the health authorities for details of their child’s medical history, including the minor’s identity, their birthdate and any supporting documents which confirms your child having a medical confirmation of gender identity disorder”.

The details were requested before the explanation would be released.

The email, which has been reviewed by the Guardian, also instructed them to “please also confirm if your teen is a patient of the youth gender service so that we can verify the information provided with Children’s Health Queensland,” states the email, which was dispatched last Friday.

Mothers Describe Demand as Breach of Confidentiality

Each parent characterized the demand as an violation of confidentiality.

One parent said she was hesitant to divulge the details because the state government had accidentally sent her information to a different parent.

“It seems like having to ‘out’ your teen to obtain a reply; like, it’s terrifying,” she said.

Case of the Mother

The parent, who cannot be legally identified because it would also identify or “out” her teen, was one of several who requested a explanation both times.

Earlier, the department sent a reply meant for her to another parent, disclosing her name and location – and the detail that she had a transgender child – to a stranger. She said a government employee later apologised over the phone; the media has seen an email from the agency admitting the mistake.

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

“My child is incredibly private. She is immensely fearful of being exposed in any social setting. She dislikes people to be aware that she’s transgender,” the mother said.

“I respect that to my core as much as humanly possible. The only time I ever, ever share is out of necessity for gaining access to services and exclusively to individuals I consider trustworthy and I trust completely.”

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

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

Other Parent Expresses Worries

Sally* said she was not comfortable disclosing the health background of her seven-year-old non-binary child.

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

“To imagine that that information could inadvertently be leaked someday, in any manner, you know, even if that was unintentional, could be deeply, deeply distressing to him.”

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

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

“It’s such intensely private stuff. You would not reveal, for example, 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.”

Legal Service Considering Further Action

The advocacy organization, which represented the parent in her case, 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 promptly enable the provision of reasons so that minors and their guardians can comprehend the reasoning behind this ruling, which has had such a devastating impact on their medical care”.

Government Stance on Ban

The government has repeatedly said the ban would stay enforced until a examination into gender-affirming care had been finished.