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The state government disclosed confidential details about the parent of a trans teenager – information she says potentially exposed her teen – to a stranger.

Allegations of “Intimidation” and “Invasion of Privacy”

The disclosure emerged as the state government was accused of “coercion” and “an invasion of privacy” after requesting confidential health records from parents of transgender children who are contemplating a further court case to its controversial ban on puberty blockers.

Recent Official Order on Puberty Blockers

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

Media has interviewed four mothers who have approached Nicholls for a legal document called a explanation of decision – a detailed account of why the government decided to ban puberty blockers in the region. Legally, the document must be supplied under the legal statute.

Demanded Health Information

Each were asked by the health authorities for particulars of their teen’s health background, 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 sought before the statement of reasons would be released.

The email, which has been seen by the Guardian, also instructed them to verify if your child is a client of the youth gender service so that we can confirm the information submitted with the health service,” reads the communication, which was sent last Friday.

Parents Describe Demand as Breach of Confidentiality

Each parent described the demand as an invasion of privacy.

One parent said she was reluctant to divulge the information because the state government had accidentally forwarded 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

The parent, who cannot be legally identified because it would also identify or expose her teen, was among those who requested a explanation both times.

Earlier, the agency sent a reply intended for her to someone else, revealing her identity and address – and the detail that she had a trans teen – to a stranger. She said a government employee later said sorry over the phone; the Guardian has obtained an message from the department confirming the mistake.

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

“My daughter is very reserved. She is immensely fearful of being outed in any public space. She dislikes anyone to be aware that she’s trans,” the mother said.

“I honor that to my very being as much as possible. The sole occasion I ever disclose is out of necessity for gaining access to supports and only to individuals I deem incredibly safe and I know well.”

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

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

Other Mother Expresses Worries

Another mother said she was unwilling revealing the medical history 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 leaked one day, in any manner, you know, even if that was accidental, could be deeply, deeply distressing to him.”

She wrote back saying the department had requested an “extraordinary amount of information”.

“I wouldn’t provide that data to another entity that requested it, particularly in the context of the present environment,” she said.

“It’s such intensely private stuff. You wouldn’t disclose, for example, your medical condition to the government office, you know. You’d be very reluctant and careful to provide any of that information to a bunch of bureaucrats, basically.”

Legal Service Weighing Second Lawsuit

The advocacy organization, which represented the mother in her case, was evaluating a second lawsuit, it said last week.

The head, Ren Shike, said the ruling had affected about hundreds of minors and their relatives and it was crucial to promptly enable the supply of explanations so that children and their guardians can understand the reasoning behind this decision, which has had such a devastating impact on their access to healthcare”.

Government Stance on Prohibition

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