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The state government released confidential information about the parent of a trans teenager – information she says potentially “outed” her teen – to a stranger.

Allegations of “Intimidation” and “Invasion of Privacy”

The revelation emerged as the state government was charged of “intimidation” and “a breach of confidentiality” after requesting private medical information from guardians of transgender children who are considering a additional court case to its controversial prohibition on puberty blockers.

Recent Official Order on Puberty Blockers

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

Media has spoken to several parents who have approached Nicholls for a legal document called a statement of reasons – a detailed account of why the authorities decided to ban puberty blockers in the region. By law, the paper must be supplied under the state’s Judicial Review Act.

Demanded Medical Details

All four were asked by the health authorities for particulars of their child’s medical history, including “your child’s name, their birthdate and any supporting documents which confirms your child having a medical confirmation of gender identity disorder”.

The information were sought before the explanation would be provided.

The message, which has been seen by the Guardian, also asked them to verify if your child is a client of the youth gender service so that we can confirm the data provided with the health service,” states the communication, which was dispatched last Friday.

Mothers Label Request as Breach of Confidentiality

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

One parent said she was reluctant to share the details because the state government had mistakenly sent her data to a another individual.

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

Case of Louise*

The parent, who must remain anonymous because it would also reveal or “out” her child, was among those who asked for a statement of reasons both times.

In May, the department sent a response meant for her to another parent, revealing her identity and address – and the fact that she had a transgender child – to a stranger. She said a department official later apologised by telephone; the Guardian has obtained an message from the agency admitting the mistake.

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

“My child is incredibly private. She is deeply afraid of being exposed in any social setting. She doesn’t like anyone to know that she’s trans,” the mother said.

“I respect that to my core as much as possible. The only time I ever disclose is out of need for gaining access to supports and only to people I deem incredibly safe and I trust completely.”

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

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

Other Parent Voices Concerns

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

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

“To imagine that that information could accidentally be disclosed one day, in any way, you know, even if that was accidental, could be deeply, deeply distressing to him.”

She wrote back 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 context of the current political climate,” 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 hesitant and careful to provide such details to a group of officials, essentially.”

Advocacy Group Weighing Further Action

The advocacy organization, which represented the mother in her case, was considering a second lawsuit, it said last week.

Its president, Ren Shike, said the decision had affected about hundreds of minors and their relatives and it was “important to promptly enable the supply of reasons so that children and their parents can comprehend the logic behind this decision, which has had such a devastating impact on their medical care”.

Authorities Stance on Ban

The authorities has consistently said the ban would remain in place until a examination into gender-affirming care had been finished.