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The Queensland government released confidential information about the parent of a trans teenager – information she claims potentially exposed her teen – to a unknown individual.

Allegations of “Intimidation” and “Privacy Violation”

The revelation came as the state government was charged of “coercion” and “a breach of confidentiality” after demanding confidential medical information from guardians of trans youth who are considering a additional legal challenge to its disputed prohibition on puberty blockers.

Recent Government Order on Hormone Treatments

Recently, the Queensland health minister, Tim Nicholls, issued a new order banning the prescription of puberty blockers for transgender patients, just hours after the state’s supreme court ruled the government’s first attempt was illegal.

Guardian Australia has interviewed several parents who have approached Nicholls for a official paper called a explanation of decision – a detailed account of why the government decided to prohibit hormone treatments in the region. Legally, the document must be provided under the legal statute.

Demanded Health Information

Each were asked by the Queensland health department for details of their teen’s health background, including the minor’s identity, their date of birth and any supporting documents which supports your child having a clinical diagnosis of gender dysphoria”.

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

The message, which has been reviewed by the media, also instructed them to “please also confirm if your child is a patient of the Queensland Children’s Gender Clinic so that we can confirm the data submitted with Children’s Health Queensland,” states the email, which was dispatched recently.

Parents Label Request as Breach of Confidentiality

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

One parent said she was reluctant to share the details because the authorities had accidentally forwarded her data to a different parent.

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

Case of the Mother

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

Earlier, the department emailed a response intended for her to another parent, revealing her name and location – and the fact that she had a transgender child – to a stranger. She said a government employee later said sorry by telephone; the Guardian has obtained an message from the agency admitting the mistake.

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

“My child is incredibly private. She is immensely fearful of being exposed in any public space. She doesn’t like people to be aware that she’s transgender,” Louise said.

“I respect that to my very being as much as possible. The only time I ever disclose is out of necessity for gaining access to supports and exclusively to people I consider incredibly safe and I trust completely.”

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

She said the demand was “intimidating” and “seems coercive”.

Other Parent Voices Worries

Sally* said she was not comfortable revealing 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 imagine that that data could accidentally be disclosed one day, in any way, you know, although that was unintentional, could be deeply, deeply distressing to him.”

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

“I would not share that data to any other organisation that requested it, particularly in the climate of the current political climate,” she said.

“It’s such intensely private stuff. You would not reveal, for instance, your medical condition to the government office, you know. You’d be hesitant and very cautious to submit such details to a bunch of bureaucrats, basically.”

Legal Service Considering Second Lawsuit

The LGBTI Legal Service, which assisted the parent in her case, was evaluating a second lawsuit, it said recently.

Its president, Ren Shike, said the decision had affected about 500 Queensland children and their relatives and it was crucial to promptly enable the provision of reasons so that children and their guardians can understand the logic behind this ruling, which has had such a severe effect on their access to healthcare”.

Authorities Position on Prohibition

The government has repeatedly said the ban would remain in place until a review into gender-affirming care had been finished.