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The Queensland government released confidential details about the mother of a transgender teenager – information she says potentially exposed her child – to a stranger.

Allegations of “Intimidation” and “Invasion of Privacy”

The disclosure emerged as the state government was charged of “coercion” and “a breach of confidentiality” after requesting private medical information from guardians of transgender children who are contemplating a additional legal challenge to its controversial ban on puberty blockers.

Latest Government Order on Hormone Treatments

Last month, the Queensland health minister, Tim Nicholls, enacted a fresh directive prohibiting the use of hormone blockers for trans individuals, just hours after the state’s supreme court ruled the initial ban was illegal.

Media has interviewed four mothers who have contacted Nicholls for a legal document called a explanation of decision – a detailed account of why the government decided to ban puberty blockers in the state. Legally, the document must be provided under the legal statute.

Demanded Health Information

All four were required by the Queensland health department for details of their teen’s health background, including “your child’s name, their date of birth and any supporting documents which supports your child having a medical confirmation of gender dysphoria”.

The information were sought before the explanation would be released.

The email, which has been seen by the Guardian, also instructed them to “please also confirm if your child is a client of the youth gender service so that we can verify the information submitted with the health service,” states the email, which was dispatched recently.

Parents Label Demand as Breach of Confidentiality

All four mothers characterized the demand as an violation of confidentiality.

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

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

Situation of the Mother

Louise*, who cannot be legally identified because it would also identify or “out” her teen, was among those who asked for a statement of reasons on multiple occasions.

In May, the department sent a reply meant for her to another parent, disclosing her identity and location – and the fact that she had a transgender child – to a third party. She said a department official later said sorry by telephone; the media has obtained an message from the department confirming the mistake.

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

“My child is incredibly private. She is immensely fearful of being exposed in any social setting. She dislikes people to know that she’s trans,” Louise said.

“I honor that to my core as much as possible. The sole occasion I ever, ever disclose is out of need for obtaining entry to services and only to people I deem trustworthy and I know well.”

Louise was particularly concerned about the suggestion it would be “verified” by the hospital.

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

Other Parent Voices Worries

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

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

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

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

“I wouldn’t provide that data to another entity that requested it, especially in the context of the current political climate,” she said.

“It’s such highly confidential information. You would not reveal, for example, your HIV status to the minister’s office, you know. You’d be hesitant and very cautious to provide such details to a bunch of bureaucrats, basically.”

Legal Service Considering Further Action

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

Its president, Ren Shike, said the decision had affected about 500 Queensland children and their families and it was crucial to promptly enable the provision of explanations so that children and their guardians can understand the reasoning behind this decision, which has had such a devastating impact on their medical care”.

Authorities Stance on Prohibition

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