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

Allegations of “Intimidation” and “Privacy Violation”

The revelation emerged as the state government was accused of “intimidation” and “an invasion of privacy” after demanding confidential health records from guardians of trans youth who are considering a further court case to its controversial prohibition on hormone blockers.

Latest Official Order on Hormone Treatments

Recently, the Queensland health official, Tim Nicholls, enacted a new order banning the use of hormone blockers for transgender patients, just hours after the state’s supreme court determined the initial ban was unlawful.

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

Demanded Medical Details

Each were required by the Queensland health department for particulars of their teen’s health background, including “your child’s name, their date of birth and any other evidence which confirms your teen having a medical confirmation of gender identity disorder”.

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

The message, which has been reviewed by the media, also asked them to verify if your teen is a patient of the youth gender service so that we can confirm the data provided with Children’s Health Queensland,” states the communication, which was sent recently.

Mothers Label Demand as Invasion of Privacy

All four mothers described the demand as an invasion of privacy.

A mother said she was hesitant to share the details because the authorities had accidentally forwarded her information to a another individual.

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

Situation of the Mother

The parent, who must remain anonymous because it would also identify or “out” her teen, was one of several who requested a explanation both times.

In May, the department emailed a response intended for her to someone else, revealing her name and address – and the fact that she had a transgender child – to a third party. She said a department official later said sorry over the phone; the media has seen an message from the agency admitting the mistake.

She said she felt “ill and vulnerable” as a result of the error.

“My daughter is very reserved. She is deeply afraid of being exposed in any social setting. She doesn’t like people to know that she’s transgender,” the mother said.

“I respect that to my core as much as humanly possible. The sole occasion I ever share is out of necessity for obtaining entry to supports and only to people I consider incredibly safe and I trust completely.”

The parent was especially worried about the suggestion it would be “verified” by the medical facility.

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

Other Mother Voices Concerns

Sally* said she was not comfortable disclosing the medical history of her young non-binary child.

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

“To imagine that that data could accidentally be disclosed someday, in any manner, you know, even if that was accidental, could be extremely upsetting to him.”

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

“I wouldn’t provide that data to another entity that requested it, especially in the climate of the present environment,” she said.

“It’s such intensely private stuff. 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 any of that information to a group of officials, basically.”

Advocacy Group Considering Further Action

The LGBTI Legal Service, which assisted the parent in her challenge, was evaluating a new legal action, it said last week.

The head, Ren Shike, said the decision had affected about 500 Queensland children and their families and it was crucial to efficiently facilitate the provision of reasons so that minors and their guardians can understand the reasoning behind this decision, which has had such a devastating impact on their access to healthcare”.

Government Stance on Ban

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