🔗 Share this article

The state government disclosed confidential information about the mother of a trans teenager – information she says potentially “outed” her child – to a stranger.

Accusations of “Intimidation” and “Invasion of Privacy”

The revelation came as the state government was accused of “intimidation” and “a breach of confidentiality” after requesting confidential health records from parents of transgender children who are contemplating a further legal challenge to its disputed prohibition on hormone blockers.

Latest Government Order on Puberty Blockers

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

Media has interviewed four mothers who have contacted Nicholls for a official paper called a statement of reasons – a formal explanation of why the authorities made a decision to ban puberty blockers in the state. Legally, the document must be provided under the legal statute.

Requested 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 other evidence which supports your teen having a clinical diagnosis of gender identity disorder”.

The details were sought before the explanation would be released.

The email, which has been reviewed by the media, also asked them to “please also confirm if your teen is a patient of the Queensland Children’s Gender Clinic so that we can confirm the information submitted with Children’s Health Queensland,” states the email, which was sent last Friday.

Parents Describe Demand as Invasion of Privacy

Each parent characterized the demand as an invasion of privacy.

A mother said she was hesitant to share the details because the state government had accidentally sent her data to a different parent.

“It feels like having to reveal your teen to actually get a response; like, it’s terrifying,” she said.

Case of the Mother

The parent, who cannot be legally identified because it would also identify or expose her teen, was one of several who requested a explanation on multiple occasions.

In May, the agency sent a reply meant for her to someone else, revealing her identity and address – and the detail that she had a transgender child – to a stranger. She said a government employee later apologised over the phone; the media has seen an email from the department admitting the error.

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

“My daughter is incredibly private. She is immensely fearful of being exposed in any social setting. She dislikes anyone to know that she’s trans,” the mother said.

“I honor that to my core as much as humanly possible. The sole occasion I ever disclose is out of necessity for gaining access to supports and exclusively to individuals I deem trustworthy and I know well.”

Louise was particularly concerned about the suggestion it would be “confirmed” by the medical facility.

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

Other Parent Voices Concerns

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

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

“To think that that information could inadvertently be leaked one day, in any manner, you know, although that was unintentional, could be deeply, deeply distressing to him.”

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

“I would not share that data to another entity that requested it, especially in the climate of the current political climate,” she said.

“It’s such highly confidential stuff. You would not reveal, for instance, your medical condition to the government office, you know. You’d be very reluctant and careful to provide such details to a group of officials, basically.”

Legal Service Considering Further Action

The LGBTI Legal Service, which represented the mother in her challenge, was considering a new legal action, it said last week.

The head, Ren Shike, said the decision had impacted about 500 Queensland children and their relatives and it was crucial to efficiently facilitate the supply of reasons so that minors and their parents can understand the logic behind this ruling, which has had such a devastating impact on their access to healthcare”.

Authorities Position on Ban

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