🔗 Share this article Parent of Trans Teen Accuses State Government of Privacy Breach That Could Have Revealed Her Child The state government disclosed private details about the parent of a transgender teenager – data she says potentially “outed” her teen – to a stranger. Allegations of “Intimidation” and “Privacy Violation” The revelation came as the 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 disputed prohibition on hormone blockers. Latest Government Directive on Puberty Blockers Last month, the state health minister, Tim Nicholls, enacted a fresh directive banning the use of hormone blockers for transgender patients, shortly after the state’s supreme court determined the government’s first attempt was unlawful. Guardian Australia has spoken to several parents who have contacted Nicholls for a legal document called a explanation of decision – a formal explanation of why the government decided to prohibit puberty blockers in the region. By law, the document must be provided under the legal statute. Requested Medical Details All four were required by the health authorities for details of their teen’s health background, including the minor’s identity, their birthdate and any supporting documents which confirms your teen having a clinical diagnosis of gender dysphoria”. The information were requested before the explanation would be released. The email, which has been seen by the media, also instructed them to “please also confirm if your teen is a client of the youth gender service so that we can confirm the data provided with the health service,” reads the communication, which was dispatched last Friday. Mothers Describe Request as Breach of Confidentiality Each parent described the request as an invasion of privacy. A mother said she was reluctant to divulge the details because the authorities had mistakenly forwarded her data to a another individual. “It feels like having to ‘out’ your teen to obtain a response; like, it’s terrifying,” she said. Case of the Mother The parent, who must remain anonymous because it would also identify or “out” her child, was among those who asked for a explanation both times. Earlier, the agency sent a response meant for her to someone else, revealing her identity and location – and the fact that she had a trans teen – to a third party. She said a department official later said sorry over the phone; the media has seen an email from the department confirming the mistake. She said she felt “sick and unsafe” as a consequence of the blunder. “My child is incredibly private. She is immensely fearful of being exposed in any public space. She dislikes people to know that she’s trans,” Louise said. “I honor that to my core as much as possible. The only time I ever disclose is out of need for obtaining entry to supports and exclusively to people I deem trustworthy and I know well.” Louise was particularly concerned about the implication it would be “confirmed” by the hospital. She said the request was “intimidating” and “seems coercive”. Additional 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 disclosed one day, in any manner, you know, even if that was unintentional, could be deeply, deeply distressing to him.” She responded saying the agency had asked for an “extraordinary amount of information”. “I would not share that data to another entity that asked for it, particularly in the context of the current political climate,” she said. “It’s such highly confidential information. You wouldn’t disclose, for instance, your medical condition to the minister’s office, you know. You’d be very reluctant and careful to submit such details to a group of officials, essentially.” Legal Service Considering Second Lawsuit The LGBTI Legal Service, which assisted the mother in her case, was considering a new legal action, it said last week. Its president, Ren Shike, said the ruling had impacted about 500 Queensland children and their families and it was crucial to efficiently facilitate the supply of explanations so that children and their parents can comprehend the reasoning behind this decision, which has had such a devastating impact on their access to healthcare”. Authorities Stance on Ban The authorities has repeatedly said the ban would stay enforced until a review into gender-affirming care had been finished.