🔗 Share this article

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

Allegations of “Bullying” and “Privacy Violation”

The revelation emerged as the government was charged of “intimidation” and “an invasion of privacy” after requesting private health records from parents of transgender children who are considering a additional court case to its disputed prohibition on hormone blockers.

Recent Government Directive on Hormone Treatments

Last month, the Queensland health minister, Tim Nicholls, enacted a new order prohibiting the prescription of hormone blockers for transgender patients, shortly after the high court determined the initial ban was unlawful.

Guardian Australia has spoken to several parents who have approached Nicholls for a official paper called a explanation of decision – a detailed account of why the authorities decided to prohibit hormone treatments in the region. Legally, the paper must be provided under the legal statute.

Demanded Health Information

All four were asked by the health authorities for particulars of their teen’s health background, including the minor’s identity, their date of birth and any other evidence which confirms your child having a medical confirmation of gender identity disorder”.

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

The email, which has been seen by the Guardian, also instructed them to “please also confirm if your child is a client of the Queensland Children’s Gender Clinic so that we can verify the information provided with Children’s Health Queensland,” reads the communication, which was dispatched recently.

Parents Label Request as Invasion of Privacy

Each parent characterized the demand as an violation of confidentiality.

One parent said she was reluctant to divulge the information because the state government had mistakenly sent her data to a different parent.

“It feels like having to ‘out’ your child to actually get a reply; like, it’s terrifying,” she said.

Situation of the Mother

The parent, who must remain anonymous because it would also identify or expose her child, was among those who requested a explanation both times.

In May, the department sent a reply meant for her to another parent, revealing her identity and address – and the detail that she had a transgender child – to a third party. She said a department official later apologised over the phone; the media has obtained an email from the agency confirming the mistake.

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

“My daughter is very reserved. She is immensely fearful of being exposed in any public space. She doesn’t like people to be aware that she’s transgender,” the mother said.

“I respect that to my very being as much as humanly possible. The only time I ever, ever disclose is out of need for obtaining entry to services and exclusively to individuals I consider incredibly safe and I know well.”

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

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

Additional Parent Expresses Concerns

Another mother said she was unwilling revealing the health background of her seven-year-old non-binary child.

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

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

She wrote back saying the agency had requested an “excessive level of detail”.

“I wouldn’t provide that information to another entity that asked for it, particularly in the context of the present environment,” she said.

“It’s such intensely private information. You wouldn’t disclose, for example, your medical condition to the minister’s office, you know. You’d be very reluctant and careful to provide such details to a bunch of bureaucrats, basically.”

Advocacy Group Weighing Further Action

The LGBTI Legal Service, which represented the parent in her case, was evaluating a new legal action, it said recently.

Its president, Ren Shike, said the decision had affected about 500 Queensland children and their relatives and it was crucial to promptly enable 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 Prohibition

The authorities has repeatedly said the ban would stay enforced until a examination into gender-affirming care had been completed.