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The Queensland government released private information about the parent of a transgender teenager – information she says potentially “outed” her teen – to a stranger.

Accusations of “Intimidation” and “Privacy Violation”

The disclosure emerged as the government was charged of “coercion” and “a breach of confidentiality” after demanding confidential health records from guardians of transgender children who are considering a further legal challenge to its disputed prohibition on hormone blockers.

Recent Government Directive on Puberty Blockers

Recently, the Queensland health official, Tim Nicholls, issued a fresh directive banning the use of hormone blockers for trans individuals, shortly after the state’s supreme court determined the government’s first attempt was illegal.

Media has spoken to four mothers who have approached Nicholls for a official paper called a explanation of decision – a formal explanation of why the authorities decided to prohibit hormone treatments in the state. Legally, the paper must be provided under the legal statute.

Demanded Health Information

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

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

The message, which has been seen by the Guardian, also asked them to “please also confirm if your child is a patient of the Queensland Children’s Gender Clinic so that we can confirm the data provided with Children’s Health Queensland,” reads the email, which was dispatched recently.

Parents Label Request as Invasion of Privacy

Each parent described the request as an violation of confidentiality.

One parent said she was reluctant to divulge the details because the authorities had accidentally sent her data to a another individual.

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

Case of the Mother

The parent, who must remain anonymous because it would also identify or expose her teen, was one of several who asked for a explanation on multiple occasions.

Earlier, the department sent a reply intended for her to another parent, disclosing her name and address – and the detail that she had a trans teen – to a stranger. She said a government employee later apologised over the phone; the Guardian has obtained an message from the department confirming the error.

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

“My child is incredibly private. She is immensely fearful of being exposed in any social setting. She doesn’t like anyone to know that she’s transgender,” Louise said.

“I respect that to my core as much as possible. The sole occasion I ever disclose is out of necessity for gaining access to supports and exclusively to individuals I deem trustworthy and I know well.”

Louise was especially worried about the implication it would be “confirmed” by the medical facility.

She said the demand was “threatening” and “feels threatening”.

Additional Mother Expresses Worries

Another mother said she was unwilling revealing the medical history of her seven-year-old gender-diverse child.

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

“To think that that information could accidentally be leaked someday, in any manner, you know, even if that was unintentional, could be deeply, deeply distressing to them.”

She wrote back saying the department had requested an “extraordinary amount of information”.

“I would not share that information to any other organisation that requested it, especially in the climate of the current political climate,” she said.

“It’s such intensely private stuff. You would not reveal, for example, your HIV status to the minister’s office, you know. You’d be very reluctant and very cautious to submit any of that information to a group of officials, basically.”

Legal Service Considering Second Lawsuit

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

Its president, Ren Shike, said the decision had impacted about hundreds of minors and their families and it was crucial to efficiently facilitate the supply of explanations so that minors and their guardians can comprehend the reasoning behind this decision, which has had such a severe effect on their medical care”.

Government Position on Ban

The authorities has consistently said the ban would remain in place until a examination into trans healthcare had been completed.