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The Queensland government disclosed private information about the parent of a trans teenager – information she claims potentially “outed” her child – to a stranger.

Allegations of “Intimidation” and “Invasion of Privacy”

The disclosure emerged as the government was charged of “intimidation” and “an invasion of privacy” after requesting confidential health records from guardians of transgender children who are contemplating a additional court case to its disputed ban on hormone blockers.

Recent Government Directive on Hormone Treatments

Last month, the Queensland health minister, 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 unlawful.

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

Demanded Medical Details

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

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

The email, which has been seen by the Guardian, also asked them to verify if your child is a patient of the youth gender service so that we can verify the data provided with Children’s Health Queensland,” reads the email, which was sent last Friday.

Mothers Label Demand as Invasion of Privacy

All four mothers characterized the demand as an violation of confidentiality.

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

“It feels like having to reveal your teen to actually get a reply; like, it’s terrifying,” she said.

Case of the Mother

Louise*, who cannot be legally identified because it would also reveal or “out” her teen, was one of several who asked for a statement of reasons both times.

Earlier, the department sent a reply meant for her to someone else, disclosing her identity and address – and the fact that she had a transgender child – to a third party. She said a department official later apologised over the phone; the media has obtained an message from the agency admitting the error.

She said she felt “ill and vulnerable” as a result of the error.

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

“I respect that to my core as much as humanly possible. The sole occasion I ever, ever share is out of necessity for gaining access to services and exclusively to people I consider trustworthy and I trust completely.”

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

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

Additional Parent Voices Concerns

Sally* said she was unwilling disclosing the health background of her young non-binary child.

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

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

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

“I wouldn’t provide that information to any other organisation that asked for it, especially in the context of the present environment,” 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 careful to submit any of that information to a group of officials, basically.”

Legal Service Weighing Second Lawsuit

The advocacy organization, which represented the parent in her challenge, was considering a second lawsuit, it said recently.

The head, Ren Shike, said the ruling had impacted about 500 Queensland children and their relatives and it was crucial to efficiently facilitate the provision of explanations so that minors and their parents can comprehend the reasoning behind this ruling, which has had such a devastating impact on their medical care”.

Authorities Stance on Prohibition

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