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The state government released confidential information about the mother of a trans teenager – information she claims potentially exposed her child – to a stranger.

Accusations of “Bullying” and “Invasion of Privacy”

The disclosure came as the government was charged of “coercion” and “an invasion of privacy” after requesting confidential health records from guardians of trans youth who are contemplating a additional legal challenge to its disputed prohibition on puberty blockers.

Recent Government Order on Hormone Treatments

Recently, the state health official, Tim Nicholls, enacted a new order banning the prescription of puberty blockers for trans individuals, shortly after the high court ruled the initial ban was unlawful.

Guardian Australia has interviewed four mothers who have approached Nicholls for a legal document called a statement of reasons – a detailed account of why the authorities made a decision to ban puberty blockers in the region. Legally, the paper must be supplied under the legal statute.

Demanded Health Information

All four were required by the health authorities for details of their child’s medical history, including “your child’s name, their date of birth and any supporting documents which supports your child having a medical confirmation of gender dysphoria”.

The details were sought before the statement of reasons would be provided.

The message, which has been reviewed by the media, also asked them to “please also confirm if your child is a patient of the youth gender service so that we can confirm the data submitted with Children’s Health Queensland,” reads the communication, which was sent recently.

Mothers Label Demand as Invasion of Privacy

All four mothers described the request as an invasion of privacy.

A mother said she was reluctant to divulge the information because the state government had accidentally forwarded her data to a different parent.

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

Case of Louise*

Louise*, who cannot be legally identified because it would also reveal or “out” her teen, was one of several who requested a statement of reasons on multiple occasions.

In May, the department emailed a reply meant for her to another parent, revealing her identity and location – and the detail that she had a trans teen – to a stranger. She said a department official later apologised over the phone; the Guardian has obtained an message from the agency admitting the mistake.

She said she felt “sick and unsafe” as a consequence of the blunder.

“My child is very reserved. She is deeply afraid of being exposed in any social setting. She dislikes people to know that she’s trans,” Louise said.

“I respect that to my very being as much as possible. The sole occasion I ever, ever disclose is out of need for gaining access to supports and only to people I deem trustworthy and I know well.”

The parent was particularly concerned about the implication it would be “verified” by the hospital.

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

Other Parent Expresses 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 seven-year-old’s details,” she said.

“To think that that data could inadvertently be leaked one day, in any way, you know, although that was accidental, could be deeply, deeply distressing to him.”

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

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

“It’s such highly confidential stuff. You would not reveal, for instance, your HIV status to the minister’s office, you know. You’d be hesitant and very cautious to submit any of that information to a bunch of bureaucrats, essentially.”

Legal Service Weighing Further Action

The LGBTI Legal Service, which represented the parent in her case, was considering a second lawsuit, it said last week.

The head, Ren Shike, said the decision had impacted about 500 Queensland children and their families and it was crucial to efficiently facilitate the supply of reasons so that minors and their parents can comprehend the reasoning behind this ruling, which has had such a severe effect on their medical care”.

Authorities Stance on Ban

The government has repeatedly said the ban would remain in place until a review into gender-affirming care had been finished.