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The state government disclosed private details about the parent of a trans teenager – data she says potentially “outed” her teen – to a unknown individual.

Accusations of “Intimidation” and “Privacy Violation”

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

Recent Government Order on Hormone Treatments

Recently, the state health official, Tim Nicholls, issued a fresh directive banning the prescription of puberty blockers for trans individuals, just hours after the high court ruled the initial ban was illegal.

Media has interviewed 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 hormone treatments in the state. Legally, the paper must be provided under the state’s Judicial Review Act.

Requested Medical Details

Each were asked by the Queensland health department for particulars of their teen’s health background, including the minor’s identity, their birthdate and any supporting documents which confirms your teen having a medical confirmation of gender identity disorder”.

The details were requested before the explanation would be provided.

The message, which has been reviewed by the Guardian, also instructed them to “please also confirm if your child is a patient of the youth gender service so that we can confirm the information submitted with Children’s Health Queensland,” reads the communication, which was sent 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 divulge the information because the state government had mistakenly sent her information to a another individual.

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

Situation of the Mother

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

Earlier, the agency emailed a response intended for her to another parent, disclosing her name and address – and the detail that she had a transgender child – to a stranger. She said a government employee later said sorry over the phone; the media has obtained an email from the agency admitting the error.

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 anyone to know that she’s trans,” the mother said.

“I honor that to my core as much as possible. The sole occasion I ever, ever disclose is out of need for gaining access to supports and exclusively to individuals I consider trustworthy and I trust completely.”

The parent was particularly concerned about the implication it would be “confirmed” by the hospital.

She said the demand was “threatening” and “feels threatening”.

Other Mother Expresses Concerns

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

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

“To imagine that that data could inadvertently be disclosed one day, in any way, you know, although that was unintentional, could be deeply, deeply distressing to him.”

She responded saying the department had asked for an “extraordinary amount of information”.

“I wouldn’t provide that information to another entity that asked for it, especially in the context of the current political climate,” 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 provide any of that information to a bunch of bureaucrats, basically.”

Advocacy Group Weighing Further Action

The advocacy organization, which assisted the parent in her challenge, was evaluating a new legal action, it said last week.

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

Government Position on Prohibition

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