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The Queensland government disclosed confidential details about the parent of a trans teenager – information she says potentially exposed her child – to a unknown individual.

Accusations of “Bullying” and “Invasion of Privacy”

The revelation came as the state government was accused of “intimidation” and “a breach of confidentiality” after requesting private medical information from parents of trans youth who are considering a further legal challenge to its controversial prohibition on hormone blockers.

Latest Official Order on Puberty Blockers

Last month, the Queensland health minister, Tim Nicholls, issued a fresh directive prohibiting the prescription of hormone blockers for transgender patients, just hours after the high court determined the initial ban was illegal.

Media has spoken to four mothers who have contacted Nicholls for a official paper called a statement of reasons – a detailed account of why the government decided to prohibit puberty blockers in the region. By law, the paper must be provided under the state’s Judicial Review Act.

Requested Health Information

Each were required by the health authorities for particulars of their teen’s health background, including “your child’s name, their birthdate and any supporting documents which confirms your teen having a clinical diagnosis of gender dysphoria”.

The details were sought before the explanation would be released.

The message, which has been seen by the media, also asked them to “please also confirm if your child is a client of the youth gender service so that we can verify the data submitted with the health service,” states the email, which was sent last Friday.

Mothers Label Request as Breach of Confidentiality

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

One parent said she was hesitant to divulge the details because the authorities had mistakenly forwarded her data to a another individual.

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

Situation of Louise*

Louise*, who must remain anonymous because it would also reveal or expose her child, was one of several who requested a statement of reasons on multiple occasions.

In May, the agency emailed a reply meant for her to another parent, disclosing her identity and address – and the fact that she had a transgender child – to a stranger. She said a department official later apologised over the phone; the Guardian has obtained an email from the agency admitting the error.

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

“My daughter is very reserved. She is immensely fearful of being exposed in any public space. She doesn’t like anyone to know that she’s trans,” Louise said.

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

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

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

Other Mother Voices Worries

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

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

“To imagine that that information could inadvertently be leaked one day, in any way, you know, although that was unintentional, could be extremely upsetting to them.”

She responded saying the agency had requested an “extraordinary amount of information”.

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

“It’s such intensely private information. You wouldn’t disclose, for example, your HIV status to the government office, you know. You’d be hesitant and careful to provide any of that information to a bunch of bureaucrats, essentially.”

Legal Service Weighing Further Action

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

Its president, Ren Shike, said the decision had affected about 500 Queensland children and their families and it was “important to efficiently facilitate the provision of explanations so that minors and their parents can comprehend the reasoning behind this ruling, which has had such a severe effect on their access to healthcare”.

Government Position on Ban

The authorities has consistently said the ban would stay enforced until a examination into trans healthcare had been finished.