🔗 Share this article

The Queensland government released confidential information about the parent of a transgender teenager – data she claims potentially exposed her teen – to a stranger.

Allegations of “Bullying” and “Invasion of Privacy”

The disclosure came as the government was charged of “intimidation” and “a breach of confidentiality” after demanding confidential medical information from guardians of trans youth who are considering a further court case to its disputed ban on hormone blockers.

Recent Government Order on Puberty Blockers

Recently, the Queensland health official, Tim Nicholls, issued a fresh directive banning the use of hormone blockers for trans individuals, shortly after the high court determined the initial ban was illegal.

Media has interviewed several parents who have contacted Nicholls for a official paper called a explanation of decision – a detailed account of why the authorities made a decision to ban hormone treatments in the region. By law, the paper must be provided under the legal statute.

Requested Medical Details

Each were required by the health authorities for particulars of their child’s medical history, including the minor’s identity, their date of birth and any other evidence which supports your child having a clinical diagnosis of gender identity disorder”.

The details were sought before the explanation would be provided.

The message, which has been seen by the Guardian, also instructed them to verify if your child is a patient of the Queensland Children’s Gender Clinic so that we can verify the information submitted with Children’s Health Queensland,” reads the communication, which was sent recently.

Mothers Label Request as Invasion of Privacy

Each parent characterized the demand as an invasion of privacy.

A mother said she was reluctant to share the details because the authorities had mistakenly sent her data to a another individual.

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

Situation of Louise*

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

In May, the agency sent a reply meant for her to someone else, revealing her name and location – and the fact that she had a transgender child – to a stranger. She said a government employee 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 error.

“My child is incredibly private. She is immensely fearful of being outed in any social setting. 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 gaining access to supports and only to people I consider trustworthy and I trust completely.”

The parent was especially worried about the suggestion it would be “confirmed” by the hospital.

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

Additional Mother Expresses Concerns

Another mother 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 think that that information could inadvertently be disclosed one day, in any way, you know, although that was accidental, could be deeply, deeply distressing to him.”

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

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

“It’s such intensely private information. You wouldn’t disclose, for instance, your HIV status to the minister’s office, you know. You’d be very reluctant and very cautious to provide such details to a group of officials, essentially.”

Advocacy Group Considering Second Lawsuit

The advocacy organization, which represented the mother in her challenge, was considering a second lawsuit, it said recently.

The head, Ren Shike, said the ruling had affected about 500 Queensland children and their relatives and it was “important to efficiently facilitate the provision of reasons so that children and their guardians can understand the reasoning behind this decision, which has had such a severe effect on their access to healthcare”.

Government Position on Ban

The government has consistently said the ban would remain in place until a examination into trans healthcare had been completed.