🔗 Share this article

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

Allegations of “Intimidation” and “Privacy Violation”

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 contemplating a further legal challenge to its controversial ban on hormone blockers.

Latest Government Order on Hormone Treatments

Recently, the Queensland health minister, Tim Nicholls, issued a fresh directive banning the use of puberty blockers for transgender patients, shortly after the state’s supreme court determined the government’s first attempt was unlawful.

Media has spoken to several parents who have approached Nicholls for a legal document called a statement of reasons – a detailed account of why the authorities decided to ban hormone treatments in the region. Legally, the document must be provided under the state’s Judicial Review Act.

Demanded Health Information

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

The information were requested before the explanation would be provided.

The email, which has been seen by the Guardian, also asked them to “please also confirm 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,” states the communication, which was sent recently.

Mothers Describe Request as Invasion of Privacy

All four mothers characterized the request as an invasion of privacy.

A mother said she was reluctant to divulge the details because the authorities had accidentally sent her data to a different parent.

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

Situation of the Mother

Louise*, who cannot be legally identified because it would also reveal or “out” her child, was among those who asked for a explanation on multiple occasions.

Earlier, the agency sent a reply meant for her to another parent, disclosing her identity and address – and the fact that she had a transgender child – to a third party. She said a department official later apologised by telephone; the Guardian has seen an email from the department admitting the mistake.

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

“My daughter is very reserved. She is deeply afraid of being exposed in any public space. She dislikes anyone to be aware that she’s trans,” Louise said.

“I honor that to my very being as much as possible. The only time I ever, ever disclose is out of necessity for gaining access to supports and exclusively to people I deem trustworthy and I know well.”

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

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

Additional Mother Voices Worries

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

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

“To imagine that that information could accidentally be disclosed someday, in any manner, you know, although that was accidental, could be deeply, deeply distressing to them.”

She responded saying the department had asked for an “extraordinary amount of information”.

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

“It’s such highly confidential stuff. 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 submit such details to a bunch of bureaucrats, essentially.”

Legal Service Considering Second Lawsuit

The advocacy organization, which assisted the mother in her challenge, was evaluating a second lawsuit, it said last week.

The head, Ren Shike, said the decision had affected about hundreds of minors and their families and it was crucial to efficiently facilitate the supply of explanations so that children and their parents can comprehend the logic behind this ruling, which has had such a devastating impact on their access to healthcare”.

Authorities Stance on Ban

The authorities has repeatedly said the prohibition would remain in place until a review into gender-affirming care had been completed.