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The state government disclosed confidential details about the mother of a trans teenager – data she claims potentially “outed” her child – to a unknown individual.

Accusations of “Bullying” and “Invasion of Privacy”

The disclosure came as the state government was charged of “coercion” and “an invasion of privacy” after demanding private health records from guardians of transgender children who are considering a additional court case to its disputed ban on puberty blockers.

Recent Official Order on Puberty Blockers

Last month, the state health minister, Tim Nicholls, enacted a new order banning the use of hormone blockers for transgender patients, shortly after the high court determined the initial ban was unlawful.

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

Demanded Health Information

All four were required by the Queensland health department for details of their child’s medical history, including “your child’s name, their date of birth and any other evidence which confirms your teen having a medical confirmation of gender identity disorder”.

The details were requested before the statement of reasons would be provided.

The message, which has been reviewed by the Guardian, also asked them to verify if your teen is a patient of the youth gender service so that we can confirm the data submitted with the health service,” states the email, which was sent last Friday.

Parents Label Demand as Breach of Confidentiality

Each parent described the request as an violation of confidentiality.

A mother said she was hesitant to share the information because the state government had accidentally sent her data to a another individual.

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

Situation of Louise*

Louise*, who must remain anonymous because it would also reveal or expose her child, was one of several who requested a statement of reasons on multiple occasions.

In May, the department sent a reply intended for her to someone else, disclosing her identity and address – and the fact that she had a trans teen – to a stranger. She said a government employee later said sorry by telephone; the media has seen an message from the agency admitting the error.

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

“My child is incredibly private. She is immensely fearful of being outed in any social setting. She dislikes people to be aware that she’s transgender,” Louise said.

“I honor that to my core as much as possible. The only time I ever share is out of need for obtaining entry to supports and exclusively to individuals I deem incredibly safe 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”.

Other Mother Expresses Concerns

Another mother said she was unwilling disclosing the health background of her seven-year-old gender-diverse child.

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

“To think that that information could inadvertently be leaked someday, in any manner, you know, although that was unintentional, could be extremely upsetting to them.”

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

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

“It’s such highly confidential stuff. You would not reveal, for example, your medical condition to the minister’s office, you know. You’d be hesitant and careful to submit any of that information to a bunch of bureaucrats, basically.”

Advocacy Group Weighing Further Action

The LGBTI Legal Service, which represented the mother in her case, was evaluating a second lawsuit, it said last week.

The head, Ren Shike, said the decision 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 guardians can comprehend the logic behind this decision, which has had such a severe effect on their medical care”.

Government Position on Ban

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