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The Queensland government disclosed confidential details about the parent of a trans teenager – data she says potentially exposed her child – to a stranger.

Allegations of “Bullying” and “Privacy Violation”

The disclosure came as the state government was charged of “coercion” and “an invasion of privacy” after demanding private health records from guardians of transgender children who are contemplating a further court case to its disputed ban on hormone blockers.

Recent Government Order on Puberty Blockers

Recently, the Queensland health official, Tim Nicholls, issued a fresh directive banning the prescription of puberty blockers for transgender patients, shortly after the state’s supreme court determined the initial ban was illegal.

Media has interviewed four mothers who have contacted Nicholls for a legal document called a statement of reasons – a formal explanation of why the government made a decision to prohibit puberty blockers in the state. Legally, the paper 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 “your child’s name, their birthdate and any other evidence which confirms your teen having a medical confirmation of gender dysphoria”.

The details were sought before the explanation would be released.

The email, which has been seen by the Guardian, also instructed them to “please also confirm if your teen is a client of the youth gender service so that we can verify the data provided with the health service,” states the email, which was dispatched last Friday.

Parents Describe Request as Breach of Confidentiality

Each parent characterized the demand as an invasion of privacy.

A mother said she was reluctant to share the details because the authorities had mistakenly sent her information to a different parent.

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

Situation of the Mother

Louise*, who cannot be legally identified because it would also identify or expose her teen, was one of several who requested a statement of reasons both times.

In May, the department sent a reply intended for her to someone else, disclosing her name and location – and the fact that she had a transgender child – to a third party. She said a government employee later apologised by telephone; the media has seen an message from the department admitting the mistake.

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

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

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

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

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

Additional Mother Voices Worries

Another mother said she was not comfortable revealing the health background of her young gender-diverse child.

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

“To imagine that that data could inadvertently be disclosed someday, in any way, you know, although that was unintentional, could be extremely upsetting to them.”

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

“I wouldn’t provide that data to any other organisation that asked for it, particularly in the context of the current political climate,” she said.

“It’s such intensely private stuff. You wouldn’t disclose, for example, your HIV status to the government office, you know. You’d be hesitant and very cautious to submit any of that information to a group of officials, basically.”

Advocacy Group Weighing Second Lawsuit

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

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

Government Position on Ban

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