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The state government released confidential information about the mother of a trans teenager – information she says potentially “outed” her child – to a stranger.

Allegations of “Bullying” and “Invasion of Privacy”

The revelation came as the government was accused of “coercion” and “an invasion of privacy” after demanding private medical information from guardians of transgender children who are contemplating a additional court case to its disputed ban on hormone blockers.

Latest Official Directive on Puberty Blockers

Last month, the Queensland health official, Tim Nicholls, issued a new order prohibiting the use of puberty blockers for transgender patients, just hours after the high court determined the government’s first attempt was unlawful.

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

Requested Medical Details

Each were required by the Queensland health department for details of their teen’s health background, including the minor’s identity, their date of birth and any supporting documents which supports your teen having a medical confirmation of gender dysphoria”.

The details were sought before the explanation would be provided.

The message, which has been reviewed by the Guardian, also asked them to verify if your teen is a patient of the Queensland Children’s Gender Clinic so that we can verify the information submitted with the health service,” states the communication, which was sent last Friday.

Mothers Label Request as Invasion of Privacy

Each parent described the demand as an violation of confidentiality.

A mother said she was reluctant to share the details because the state government had accidentally sent her information to a different parent.

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

Situation of Louise*

The parent, who cannot be legally identified because it would also identify or expose her child, was one of several who requested a statement of reasons on multiple occasions.

Earlier, the agency emailed a response intended for her to someone else, revealing her identity and location – and the fact that she had a trans teen – to a stranger. She said a department official later apologised by telephone; the media has seen an message from the agency admitting the error.

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

“My child is incredibly private. She is immensely fearful of being outed in any social setting. She dislikes people to be aware that she’s transgender,” Louise said.

“I respect that to my core as much as possible. The only time I ever, ever disclose is out of need for obtaining entry to supports and only to people I deem trustworthy and I trust completely.”

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

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

Additional Parent Expresses Worries

Sally* said she was unwilling disclosing 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, even if that was unintentional, could be deeply, deeply distressing to them.”

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

“I wouldn’t provide that data to any other organisation that asked for it, especially in the context of the present environment,” she said.

“It’s such highly confidential information. You would not reveal, for instance, your medical condition to the government office, you know. You’d be very reluctant and very cautious to provide any of that information to a bunch of bureaucrats, essentially.”

Advocacy Group Weighing Second Lawsuit

The LGBTI Legal Service, which represented the parent in her challenge, was considering a new legal action, it said last week.

The head, Ren Shike, said the ruling had impacted about 500 Queensland children and their families and it was “important to promptly enable the provision of reasons so that minors and their guardians can comprehend the reasoning behind this decision, which has had such a devastating impact on their medical care”.

Authorities Stance on Prohibition

The authorities has repeatedly said the ban would stay enforced until a examination into gender-affirming care had been finished.