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The state government disclosed private information about the parent of a transgender teenager – information she claims potentially exposed her child – to a unknown individual.

Allegations of “Bullying” and “Privacy Violation”

The revelation emerged as the government was charged of “coercion” and “a breach of confidentiality” after demanding confidential health records from parents of trans youth who are considering a additional legal challenge to its disputed ban on hormone blockers.

Recent Official Order on Puberty Blockers

Recently, the Queensland health minister, Tim Nicholls, issued a new order prohibiting the prescription of puberty blockers for transgender patients, shortly after the high court ruled the government’s first attempt was illegal.

Media has spoken to four mothers who have contacted Nicholls for a official paper called a explanation of decision – a detailed account of why the government decided to prohibit puberty blockers in the state. By law, the paper must be provided under the legal statute.

Demanded Medical Details

All four were required by the health authorities for details of their child’s medical history, including “your child’s name, their date of birth and any supporting documents which supports your child having a clinical diagnosis of gender identity disorder”.

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

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

Parents Label Demand as Invasion of Privacy

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

One parent said she was hesitant to share the information because the authorities had accidentally sent her information to a different parent.

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

Situation of Louise*

The parent, who cannot be legally identified because it would also reveal or “out” her teen, was one of several who requested a statement of reasons both times.

In May, the agency sent a response intended for her to another parent, disclosing her identity and address – and the detail that she had a transgender child – to a third party. She said a department official later said sorry by telephone; the Guardian has obtained an email from the department confirming the error.

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

“My daughter is very reserved. She is deeply afraid of being outed in any public space. She doesn’t like people to know that she’s trans,” Louise said.

“I respect that to my core as much as possible. The sole occasion I ever share is out of need for gaining access to supports and exclusively to individuals I deem incredibly safe and I trust completely.”

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

Sally* said she was unwilling revealing the medical history of her young gender-diverse child.

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

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

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

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

“It’s such highly confidential stuff. You wouldn’t disclose, for example, your medical condition to the minister’s office, you know. You’d be very reluctant and very cautious to submit any of that information to a bunch of bureaucrats, essentially.”

Legal Service Considering Further Action

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

Its president, Ren Shike, said the decision had impacted about 500 Queensland children and their relatives and it was crucial to efficiently facilitate the provision of explanations so that children and their guardians can understand the logic behind this ruling, which has had such a severe effect on their medical care”.

Government Stance on Ban

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