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The state government released private details about the mother of a transgender teenager – data she says potentially exposed her child – to a stranger.

Allegations of “Intimidation” and “Privacy Violation”

The revelation came as the state government was accused of “coercion” and “a breach of confidentiality” after requesting private medical information from guardians of trans youth who are contemplating a additional court case to its disputed prohibition on hormone blockers.

Recent Government Directive on Puberty Blockers

Last month, the Queensland health minister, Tim Nicholls, enacted a fresh directive banning the prescription of hormone blockers for transgender patients, shortly after the state’s supreme court ruled the government’s first attempt was unlawful.

Media has spoken to several parents who have approached Nicholls for a legal document called a explanation of decision – a detailed account of why the authorities made a decision to prohibit puberty blockers in the region. By law, the paper must be provided under the legal statute.

Requested Medical Details

Each were required by the health authorities for details of their child’s medical history, including the minor’s identity, their birthdate and any other evidence which confirms your child having a medical confirmation of gender dysphoria”.

The information were sought before the explanation would be provided.

The message, which has been reviewed by the media, also instructed them to “please also confirm if your teen is a patient of the Queensland Children’s Gender Clinic so that we can confirm the information submitted with the health service,” states the email, which was dispatched last Friday.

Parents Describe Demand as Invasion of Privacy

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

One parent said she was reluctant to divulge the details because the state government had mistakenly sent her data to a different parent.

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

Case of the Mother

Louise*, who must remain anonymous because it would also reveal or “out” her teen, was among those who asked for a explanation both times.

Earlier, the department emailed a response meant for her to someone else, disclosing her identity and location – 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 seen an message from the agency admitting the error.

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

“My child is very reserved. She is deeply afraid of being outed in any public space. She dislikes people to be aware that she’s transgender,” Louise said.

“I honor that to my core as much as possible. The sole occasion I ever, ever disclose is out of necessity for obtaining entry to supports and exclusively to individuals I consider incredibly safe and I trust completely.”

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

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

Other Parent Voices Concerns

Sally* said she was not comfortable disclosing the health background of her young non-binary child.

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

“To think that that information could inadvertently be disclosed one day, in any manner, you know, even if that was unintentional, could be extremely upsetting to them.”

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

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

“It’s such highly confidential information. You would not reveal, 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 group of officials, basically.”

Advocacy Group Considering Further Action

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

The head, Ren Shike, said the ruling had impacted about hundreds of minors and their families and it was “important to efficiently facilitate the supply of reasons so that children and their parents can comprehend the reasoning behind this decision, which has had such a severe effect on their medical care”.

Government Position on Ban

The government has consistently said the prohibition would remain in place until a review into gender-affirming care had been completed.