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The state government disclosed private information about the mother of a trans teenager – data she claims potentially exposed her child – to a unknown individual.

Allegations of “Bullying” and “Privacy Violation”

The revelation emerged as the state government was charged of “coercion” and “an invasion of privacy” after requesting private health records from parents of transgender children who are contemplating a further legal challenge to its disputed prohibition on puberty blockers.

Latest Government Directive on Hormone Treatments

Last month, the state health official, Tim Nicholls, enacted a fresh directive prohibiting the use of puberty blockers for trans individuals, shortly after the state’s supreme court ruled the initial ban was illegal.

Guardian Australia has spoken to several parents who have contacted Nicholls for a official paper called a statement of reasons – a formal explanation of why the authorities made a decision to ban puberty blockers in the region. By law, the document must be supplied under the legal statute.

Demanded Health Information

All four were asked by the health authorities for details of their child’s medical history, including the minor’s identity, their birthdate and any other evidence which confirms your teen having a medical confirmation of gender dysphoria”.

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

The email, which has been seen by the media, also instructed them to verify if your child is a client of the Queensland Children’s Gender Clinic so that we can confirm the data provided with the health service,” reads the email, which was sent last Friday.

Mothers Label Request as Invasion of Privacy

Each parent characterized the request as an violation of confidentiality.

A mother said she was hesitant to divulge the information because the authorities had mistakenly sent her data to a different parent.

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

Situation of the Mother

Louise*, who cannot be legally identified because it would also reveal or “out” her teen, was one of several who asked for a explanation both times.

Earlier, the agency sent a reply meant for her to another parent, disclosing her identity and address – and the fact that she had a transgender child – to a stranger. She said a department official later apologised over the phone; the Guardian has obtained an message from the agency admitting the error.

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

“My child is incredibly private. She is deeply afraid of being exposed in any social setting. She dislikes anyone to be aware that she’s transgender,” Louise said.

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

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

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

Other Mother Voices Worries

Sally* said she was not comfortable revealing the health background of her young non-binary child.

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

“To think that that information could inadvertently be disclosed someday, in any manner, you know, even if that was accidental, could be deeply, deeply distressing to them.”

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

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

“It’s such intensely private stuff. You would not reveal, for instance, your medical condition to the government office, you know. You’d be hesitant and careful to provide any of that information to a group of officials, essentially.”

Advocacy Group Considering Further Action

The advocacy organization, which represented the parent in her challenge, was considering a new legal action, it said recently.

Its president, Ren Shike, said the decision had impacted about 500 Queensland children and their relatives and it was crucial to promptly enable the supply of reasons so that minors and their guardians can understand the logic behind this decision, which has had such a severe effect on their medical care”.

Government Stance on Ban

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