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

Accusations of “Intimidation” and “Privacy Violation”

The revelation came as the state government was accused of “coercion” and “an invasion of privacy” after demanding confidential medical information from guardians of transgender children who are contemplating a further court case to its disputed ban on hormone blockers.

Recent Official Order on Hormone Treatments

Recently, the state health minister, Tim Nicholls, enacted a fresh directive banning the use of puberty blockers for trans individuals, shortly after the state’s supreme court determined the initial ban was unlawful.

Media has interviewed several parents who have contacted Nicholls for a legal document called a explanation of decision – a formal explanation of why the authorities made a decision to prohibit hormone treatments in the state. By law, the document must be supplied under the legal statute.

Requested Health Information

Each were asked by the health authorities for details of their child’s medical history, including “your child’s name, their birthdate and any other evidence which supports your child having a medical confirmation of gender dysphoria”.

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

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

Parents Describe Request as Breach of Confidentiality

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

One parent said she was hesitant to share the details because the state government had accidentally forwarded her data to a another individual.

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

Case of Louise*

Louise*, who cannot be legally identified because it would also reveal or “out” her child, was among those who requested a explanation both times.

In May, the agency sent a reply intended for her to another parent, revealing her name and location – and the fact that she had a trans teen – to a stranger. She said a government employee later apologised over the phone; the media has seen an email from the department confirming the mistake.

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

“My daughter is incredibly private. She is immensely fearful of being outed in any public space. She doesn’t like anyone to be aware that she’s transgender,” Louise said.

“I honor that to my very being as much as possible. The only time I ever share is out of necessity for gaining access to supports and only to people I consider trustworthy and I know well.”

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

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

Other Mother Voices Concerns

Another mother said she was not comfortable revealing the medical history of her seven-year-old gender-diverse child.

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

“To think that that information could inadvertently be disclosed one day, in any manner, you know, although 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 another entity that asked for it, particularly in the context of the present environment,” she said.

“It’s such highly confidential stuff. You wouldn’t disclose, for example, your HIV status to the minister’s office, you know. You’d be hesitant and careful to submit any of that information to a bunch of bureaucrats, basically.”

Advocacy Group Weighing Further Action

The LGBTI Legal Service, which represented the parent in her challenge, was evaluating a second lawsuit, it said recently.

Its president, Ren Shike, said the ruling had impacted about hundreds of minors and their families and it was “important to promptly enable the supply of explanations so that minors and their parents can comprehend the reasoning behind this decision, which has had such a devastating impact on their medical care”.

Authorities Stance on Ban

The government has consistently said the prohibition would remain in place until a examination into trans healthcare had been finished.