Parent of Trans Teen Alleges State Government of Data Leak That Could Have Revealed Her Child

The Queensland government disclosed private information about the parent of a transgender teenager – information she claims potentially exposed her teen – to a unknown individual.

Accusations of “Bullying” and “Privacy Violation”

The revelation emerged as the government was accused of “intimidation” and “a breach of confidentiality” after requesting confidential medical information from guardians of trans youth who are considering a further court case to its disputed prohibition on hormone blockers.

Recent Official Order on Puberty Blockers

Recently, the state health official, Tim Nicholls, enacted a new order banning the use of puberty blockers for transgender patients, shortly after the state’s supreme court ruled the government’s first attempt was unlawful.

Media has spoken to several parents who have contacted Nicholls for a legal document called a statement of reasons – a detailed account of why the authorities made a decision to prohibit puberty blockers in the state. Legally, the document must be provided under the legal statute.

Demanded Health Information

Each were asked by the health authorities for details of their teen’s health background, including the minor’s identity, their date of birth and any supporting documents which confirms your child having a medical confirmation of gender identity disorder”.

The information were requested before the statement of reasons would be released.

The email, which has been reviewed by the Guardian, also instructed them to verify if your teen is a client of the youth gender service so that we can confirm the data submitted with the health service,” states the communication, which was dispatched recently.

Parents Label Demand as Invasion of Privacy

All four mothers described the demand as an invasion of privacy.

One parent said she was reluctant to divulge the information because the authorities had mistakenly forwarded her data to a different parent.

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

Situation of Louise*

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

In May, the agency emailed a response meant for her to someone else, disclosing her identity and address – and the detail that she had a transgender child – to a third party. She said a government employee later apologised by telephone; the Guardian has seen an email from the agency confirming the mistake.

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

“My child is incredibly private. She is immensely fearful of being outed in any public space. She doesn’t like people to be aware that she’s trans,” the mother said.

“I honor that to my core as much as possible. The sole occasion I ever, ever share is out of need for obtaining entry to services and exclusively to people I deem incredibly safe and I know well.”

The parent was particularly concerned about the suggestion it would be “confirmed” by the hospital.

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

Additional Mother Voices Worries

Sally* said she was unwilling disclosing the health background of her seven-year-old gender-diverse child.

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

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

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

“I wouldn’t provide that information to any other organisation 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 instance, your medical condition to the government office, you know. You’d be hesitant and careful to submit such details to a bunch of bureaucrats, essentially.”

Advocacy Group Weighing Second Lawsuit

The advocacy organization, which assisted the parent in her case, was considering a second lawsuit, it said last week.

The head, Ren Shike, said the decision had impacted about hundreds of minors and their families and it was crucial to promptly enable the supply of reasons so that minors and their guardians can understand the logic behind this decision, which has had such a devastating impact on their medical care”.

Government Position on Ban

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