🔗 Share this article

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

Allegations of “Bullying” and “Privacy Violation”

The disclosure emerged as the government was accused of “intimidation” and “an invasion of privacy” after requesting private medical information from guardians of trans youth who are contemplating a additional court case to its disputed prohibition on hormone blockers.

Recent Official Directive on Hormone Treatments

Recently, the Queensland health minister, Tim Nicholls, enacted a fresh directive banning the use of hormone blockers for trans individuals, shortly after the high court ruled the government’s first attempt was unlawful.

Guardian Australia has spoken to four mothers who have contacted Nicholls for a official paper called a statement of reasons – a detailed account of why the authorities made a decision to ban puberty blockers in the region. Legally, the paper must be supplied under the state’s Judicial Review Act.

Demanded Medical Details

All four were asked by the Queensland health department for details of their child’s medical history, including “your child’s name, their date of birth and any other evidence which confirms your child having a clinical diagnosis of gender identity disorder”.

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

The email, which has been seen by the Guardian, also asked them to “please also confirm if your child is a client of the Queensland Children’s Gender Clinic so that we can verify the data submitted with the health service,” reads the communication, which was sent recently.

Mothers Label Request as Invasion of Privacy

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

One parent said she was hesitant to share the information because the authorities had accidentally sent her information to a another individual.

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

Situation of the Mother

Louise*, who cannot be legally identified because it would also reveal or “out” her teen, was one of several who requested a statement of reasons both times.

In May, the department sent a reply intended for her to someone else, revealing her identity and address – and the fact that she had a trans teen – to a third party. She said a government employee later said sorry by telephone; the media has obtained an email from the department admitting the mistake.

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

“My child is very reserved. She is deeply afraid of being exposed in any public space. She dislikes anyone to know that she’s transgender,” the mother said.

“I respect that to my very being as much as possible. The sole occasion I ever, ever share is out of need for obtaining entry to services and exclusively to individuals I deem incredibly safe and I trust completely.”

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

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

Other Mother Expresses Concerns

Sally* said she was unwilling revealing the health background of her young non-binary child.

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

“To imagine that that data could inadvertently be leaked one day, in any way, you know, even if that was unintentional, could be extremely upsetting to them.”

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

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

“It’s such intensely private stuff. You wouldn’t disclose, for instance, your medical condition to the minister’s office, you know. You’d be hesitant and careful to provide such details to a bunch of bureaucrats, essentially.”

Advocacy Group Weighing Second Lawsuit

The advocacy organization, which represented the mother in her case, was considering a new legal action, it said last week.

The head, Ren Shike, said the ruling had affected about hundreds of minors and their relatives and it was crucial to promptly enable the supply of explanations so that minors and their guardians can comprehend the logic behind this ruling, which has had such a devastating impact on their medical care”.

Government Position on Prohibition

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