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The Queensland government disclosed confidential information about the mother of a transgender teenager – information she says potentially exposed her teen – to a unknown individual.

Allegations of “Intimidation” and “Invasion of Privacy”

The revelation emerged as the state government was accused of “coercion” and “an invasion of privacy” after demanding confidential medical information from parents of transgender children who are contemplating a additional legal challenge to its disputed ban on puberty blockers.

Recent Official Order on Hormone Treatments

Recently, the Queensland health minister, Tim Nicholls, enacted a new order prohibiting the use of hormone blockers for trans individuals, just hours after the high court determined the government’s first attempt was unlawful.

Media has spoken to several parents who have contacted Nicholls for a legal document called a statement of reasons – a detailed account of why the authorities made a decision to ban puberty blockers in the region. By law, the paper must be provided under the state’s Judicial Review Act.

Demanded Medical Details

Each were required by the Queensland health department for details of their teen’s health background, including the minor’s identity, their birthdate and any other evidence which supports your child having a clinical diagnosis of gender dysphoria”.

The information were requested before the explanation would be released.

The email, which has been reviewed by the Guardian, also asked them to “please also confirm if your child is a patient of the youth gender service so that we can confirm the information submitted with the health service,” reads the communication, which was dispatched last Friday.

Parents Label Request as Breach of Confidentiality

All four mothers characterized the request as an violation of confidentiality.

A mother said she was reluctant to divulge the details because the authorities had mistakenly sent her data to a another individual.

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

Case of the Mother

Louise*, who must remain anonymous because it would also reveal or “out” her child, was one of several who asked for a statement of reasons both times.

In May, the agency emailed a response meant for her to someone else, revealing her name and location – and the detail that she had a transgender child – to a third party. She said a government employee later said sorry over the phone; the Guardian has obtained 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 immensely fearful of being exposed in any public space. She dislikes people to know that she’s transgender,” Louise said.

“I respect that to my very being as much as possible. The only time I ever, ever disclose is out of need for gaining access to supports and only to individuals I consider trustworthy and I know well.”

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

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

Additional Parent Voices Concerns

Another mother said she was not comfortable revealing the health background of her young non-binary child.

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

“To imagine that that data could accidentally be leaked someday, in any way, you know, even if that was accidental, could be deeply, deeply distressing to them.”

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

“I wouldn’t provide that data to any other organisation that requested it, especially in the context of the current political climate,” she said.

“It’s such highly confidential information. You would not reveal, for instance, 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, essentially.”

Legal Service Considering Further Action

The advocacy organization, which represented the mother in her case, was evaluating a new legal action, it said recently.

The head, Ren Shike, said the ruling had affected about hundreds of minors and their families and it was “important to promptly enable the provision of explanations so that children and their parents can comprehend the logic behind this ruling, which has had such a severe effect on their access to healthcare”.

Government Stance on Ban

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