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The state government released confidential details about the mother of a trans teenager – information she says potentially “outed” her teen – to a unknown individual.

Accusations of “Intimidation” and “Invasion of Privacy”

The disclosure emerged as the government was accused of “intimidation” and “an invasion of privacy” after demanding confidential health records from guardians of trans youth who are considering a additional court case to its controversial prohibition on puberty blockers.

Recent Government Order on Puberty Blockers

Last month, 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 initial ban was illegal.

Media has spoken to several parents who have approached Nicholls for a official paper called a statement of reasons – a formal explanation of why the government made a decision to prohibit puberty blockers in the region. By law, the paper must be provided under the state’s Judicial Review Act.

Demanded Health Information

Each were asked by the Queensland health department for particulars of their child’s medical history, including the minor’s identity, their date of birth and any supporting documents which confirms your teen 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 Guardian, also asked them to verify if your teen is a client of the Queensland Children’s Gender Clinic so that we can verify the data provided with Children’s Health Queensland,” states the email, which was dispatched recently.

Mothers Describe Demand as Invasion of Privacy

Each parent described the request as an violation of confidentiality.

One parent said she was hesitant to divulge the information because the authorities had accidentally forwarded her information to a another individual.

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

Case of Louise*

Louise*, who cannot be legally identified because it would also identify or “out” her teen, was one of several who requested a explanation both times.

In May, the agency emailed a response meant for her to someone else, disclosing her identity and address – and the fact that she had a transgender child – to a stranger. She said a government employee later apologised over the phone; the Guardian has seen an message from the department confirming the mistake.

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

“My child 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 sole occasion I ever, ever share is out of necessity for obtaining entry to services and exclusively to people I deem incredibly safe and I trust completely.”

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

She said the request was “threatening” and “seems coercive”.

Other Parent Voices Concerns

Sally* said she was not comfortable revealing the health background of her seven-year-old non-binary child.

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

“To imagine that that data could accidentally be disclosed one day, in any manner, you know, even if that was unintentional, could be deeply, deeply distressing to them.”

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

“I wouldn’t provide that information to any other organisation that asked for it, particularly in the climate of the present environment,” she said.

“It’s such intensely private information. You would not reveal, for instance, your HIV status to the government office, you know. You’d be hesitant and careful to submit such details to a group of officials, essentially.”

Legal Service Weighing Further Action

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

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

Authorities Position on Prohibition

The authorities has repeatedly said the prohibition would stay enforced until a examination into trans healthcare had been finished.