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The state government disclosed confidential information about the parent of a transgender teenager – information she claims potentially “outed” her teen – to a stranger.

Accusations of “Intimidation” and “Privacy Violation”

The disclosure came as the state government was accused of “coercion” and “an invasion of privacy” after requesting private health records from parents of trans youth who are contemplating a further legal challenge to its controversial prohibition on hormone blockers.

Recent Official Directive on Hormone Treatments

Last month, the Queensland health minister, Tim Nicholls, issued a fresh directive banning the prescription of hormone blockers for transgender patients, just hours after the high court determined the government’s first attempt was unlawful.

Guardian Australia has spoken to several parents who have contacted Nicholls for a legal document called a statement of reasons – a formal explanation of why the government decided to ban puberty blockers in the state. By law, the document must be provided under the state’s Judicial Review Act.

Demanded Medical Details

Each were required 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 supports your teen having a medical confirmation of gender dysphoria”.

The details were sought before the explanation would be released.

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

Mothers Describe Demand as Invasion of Privacy

Each parent characterized the request as an violation of confidentiality.

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

“It feels like having to ‘out’ your teen to obtain a reply; like, it’s terrifying,” she said.

Case of Louise*

Louise*, who must remain anonymous because it would also identify or expose her teen, was among those who requested a explanation on multiple occasions.

Earlier, the agency sent a response intended for her to someone else, revealing her identity and location – and the detail that she had a trans teen – to a third party. She said a department official later apologised over the phone; the Guardian has seen an email from the agency confirming the mistake.

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

“My child is very reserved. She is deeply afraid of being exposed in any public space. She doesn’t like anyone to know that she’s trans,” Louise said.

“I honor that to my core as much as possible. The only time I ever, ever share is out of need for obtaining entry to services and only to individuals I deem incredibly safe and I know well.”

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

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

Other Mother Voices Concerns

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

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

“To think that that information could accidentally be disclosed one day, in any way, you know, even if that was accidental, could be extremely upsetting to them.”

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

“I wouldn’t provide that information to any other organisation that asked for it, particularly in the climate 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 very reluctant and careful to submit such details to a group of officials, basically.”

Legal Service Weighing Second Lawsuit

The LGBTI Legal Service, which represented the mother in her case, was considering a second lawsuit, it said recently.

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

Government Position on Prohibition

The government has repeatedly said the ban would stay enforced until a examination into trans healthcare had been finished.