🔗 Share this article

The Queensland government disclosed confidential details about the parent of a transgender teenager – information she claims potentially exposed her child – to a stranger.

Allegations of “Bullying” and “Invasion of Privacy”

The disclosure emerged as the state government was accused of “intimidation” and “a breach of confidentiality” after demanding private medical information from parents of trans youth who are considering a additional legal challenge to its controversial ban on hormone blockers.

Recent Government Directive on Hormone Treatments

Last month, the Queensland health official, Tim Nicholls, issued a fresh directive prohibiting the use of hormone blockers for trans individuals, just hours after the state’s supreme court ruled the government’s first attempt was illegal.

Guardian Australia has spoken to four mothers who have contacted Nicholls for a official paper called a statement of reasons – a formal explanation of why the government decided to prohibit hormone treatments in the state. By law, the document must be provided under the legal statute.

Demanded Medical Details

Each were asked by the health authorities for details of their teen’s health background, including “your child’s name, their birthdate and any supporting documents which confirms your child having a clinical diagnosis of gender identity disorder”.

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

The message, which has been seen 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 provided with the health service,” states the email, which was sent recently.

Mothers Describe Demand as Breach of Confidentiality

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

One parent said she was reluctant to share the information because the authorities had accidentally sent her information to a different parent.

“It seems like having to reveal your child to obtain a reply; like, it’s frightening,” she said.

Case of Louise*

Louise*, who cannot be legally identified because it would also reveal or expose her child, was among those who asked for a explanation both times.

In May, the agency emailed a reply intended for her to another parent, disclosing 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 email from the agency admitting the error.

She said she felt “ill and vulnerable” as a result of the blunder.

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

“I respect that to my very being as much as humanly possible. The sole occasion I ever, ever share is out of need for gaining access to services and only to individuals I deem trustworthy and I know well.”

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

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

Other Mother Voices Concerns

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

“It’s not my data, it’s a child’s information,” she said.

“To imagine that that information could accidentally be disclosed one day, in any way, you know, even if that was accidental, could be extremely upsetting to them.”

She wrote back saying the agency had asked for 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 intensely private information. You would not reveal, for example, your HIV status to the government office, you know. You’d be hesitant and careful to submit any of that information to a group of officials, essentially.”

Advocacy Group Considering Second Lawsuit

The LGBTI Legal Service, which represented the parent in her challenge, was evaluating a second lawsuit, it said last week.

The head, Ren Shike, said the ruling had affected 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 reasoning behind this ruling, which has had such a devastating impact on their access to healthcare”.

Authorities Position on Prohibition

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