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The Queensland government released private information about the mother of a transgender teenager – data she claims potentially “outed” her child – to a unknown individual.

Allegations of “Bullying” and “Invasion of Privacy”

The revelation came as the state government was charged of “intimidation” and “a breach of confidentiality” after requesting private medical information from parents of trans youth who are considering a further legal challenge to its controversial ban on puberty blockers.

Recent Official Order on Puberty Blockers

Last month, the state health official, Tim Nicholls, enacted a fresh directive prohibiting the use of hormone blockers for transgender patients, just hours after the high court determined the initial ban was illegal.

Guardian Australia has spoken to four mothers who have contacted Nicholls for a official paper called a statement of reasons – a detailed account of why the government decided to prohibit puberty blockers in the region. By law, the document must be provided under the legal statute.

Demanded Medical Details

Each were required by the health authorities for details of their child’s medical history, including “your child’s name, their date of birth and any other evidence which supports your child having a medical confirmation of gender dysphoria”.

The details were sought before the statement of reasons would be released.

The email, which has been seen by the media, also asked them to verify if your teen is a patient of the youth gender service so that we can confirm the information submitted with Children’s Health Queensland,” reads the email, which was sent recently.

Parents Label Request as Breach of Confidentiality

Each parent described the demand as an violation of confidentiality.

One parent said she was reluctant to share the information because the state government 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.

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 statement of reasons on multiple occasions.

Earlier, the agency sent a response intended for her to another parent, disclosing her identity and location – and the fact that she had a trans teen – to a third party. She said a government employee later said sorry over the phone; the media has obtained an message from the agency admitting the error.

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

“My child is very reserved. She is deeply afraid of being exposed in any public space. She dislikes anyone to know that she’s transgender,” the mother said.

“I honor that to my core as much as humanly possible. The only time I ever disclose is out of need for obtaining entry to supports and exclusively to individuals I deem trustworthy and I know well.”

Louise was especially worried about the implication it would be “verified” by the hospital.

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

Additional Parent Expresses Worries

Another mother said she was not comfortable disclosing the medical history of her young gender-diverse child.

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

“To imagine that that information could inadvertently be disclosed someday, in any way, you know, although that was accidental, could be extremely upsetting to him.”

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

“I wouldn’t provide that data to any other organisation that requested it, especially in the context of the current political climate,” 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 very cautious to provide such details to a bunch of bureaucrats, essentially.”

Legal Service Considering Further Action

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

The head, Ren Shike, said the decision had affected about hundreds of minors and their relatives and it was crucial to efficiently facilitate the provision of reasons so that minors and their guardians can understand the reasoning behind this decision, which has had such a devastating impact on their access to healthcare”.

Government Stance on Prohibition

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