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The Queensland government disclosed private details about the mother of a transgender teenager – information she claims potentially exposed her child – to a stranger.

Accusations of “Intimidation” and “Privacy Violation”

The disclosure came as the government was accused of “intimidation” and “a breach of confidentiality” after demanding private medical information from parents of transgender children who are contemplating a additional legal challenge to its controversial prohibition on hormone blockers.

Recent Government Directive on Puberty Blockers

Recently, the Queensland health minister, Tim Nicholls, enacted a fresh directive banning the use of hormone blockers for trans individuals, just hours after the high court ruled the government’s first attempt was illegal.

Media has interviewed four mothers who have approached Nicholls for a legal document called a statement of reasons – a formal explanation of why the authorities made a decision to prohibit hormone treatments in the region. By law, the paper must be supplied under the state’s Judicial Review Act.

Requested Medical Details

Each were asked by the health authorities for particulars of their child’s medical history, including the minor’s identity, their birthdate 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 message, which has been seen by the media, also instructed them to verify if your child is a patient of the Queensland Children’s Gender Clinic so that we can confirm the information submitted with Children’s Health Queensland,” reads the communication, which was dispatched recently.

Parents Describe Request as Breach of Confidentiality

Each parent characterized the demand as an violation of confidentiality.

One parent said she was hesitant to divulge the details because the state government had mistakenly forwarded her data to a different parent.

“It seems like having to reveal your teen to obtain a response; like, it’s terrifying,” she said.

Case of Louise*

Louise*, who must remain anonymous because it would also reveal or expose her child, was one of several who requested a explanation on multiple occasions.

Earlier, the agency emailed a response intended for her to another parent, revealing her identity and location – and the detail that she had a transgender child – to a stranger. She said a government employee later said sorry by telephone; the media has obtained an message from the department confirming the error.

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

“My child is very reserved. She is immensely fearful of being exposed in any social setting. She doesn’t like people to be aware that she’s trans,” Louise said.

“I respect that to my very being as much as humanly possible. The only time I ever, ever share 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 implication it would be “confirmed” by the hospital.

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

Additional Parent Expresses Worries

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

“It’s not my information, it’s a seven-year-old’s details,” she said.

“To imagine that that data could accidentally be leaked someday, in any way, you know, even if that was accidental, could be extremely upsetting to them.”

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

“I wouldn’t provide that data to another entity that asked for it, especially in the climate of the current political climate,” she said.

“It’s such intensely private stuff. You wouldn’t disclose, for instance, your medical condition to the minister’s office, you know. You’d be hesitant and very cautious to provide such details to a group of officials, essentially.”

Advocacy Group Weighing Second Lawsuit

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

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

Authorities Stance on Prohibition

The government has repeatedly said the ban would stay enforced until a review into trans healthcare had been completed.