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The state government disclosed confidential details about the parent of a trans teenager – information she claims potentially exposed her child – to a unknown individual.

Accusations of “Intimidation” and “Privacy Violation”

The disclosure emerged as the state government was accused of “coercion” and “a breach of confidentiality” after requesting private health records from parents of trans youth who are considering a additional court case to its disputed ban on hormone blockers.

Latest Government Directive on Puberty Blockers

Recently, the state health minister, Tim Nicholls, issued a fresh directive banning the prescription of hormone blockers for trans individuals, shortly after the high court determined the initial ban was unlawful.

Media has spoken to four mothers who have approached Nicholls for a legal document called a statement of reasons – a detailed account of why the authorities decided to prohibit hormone treatments in the state. By law, the document must be supplied under the legal statute.

Requested Health Information

Each were required by the Queensland health department for details of their child’s medical history, including the minor’s identity, their date of birth and any other evidence which supports your teen having a clinical diagnosis of gender identity disorder”.

The information were requested before the statement of reasons would be released.

The message, which has been seen by the media, also asked them to verify if your teen is a client of the Queensland Children’s Gender Clinic so that we can confirm the information submitted with the health service,” states the communication, which was dispatched recently.

Parents Label Demand as Breach of Confidentiality

All four mothers described the request as an violation of confidentiality.

One parent said she was reluctant to share the information because the state government had accidentally sent her data to a different parent.

“It seems like having to ‘out’ your teen to actually get a reply; like, it’s terrifying,” she said.

Situation of Louise*

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

Earlier, the agency emailed a response meant for her to someone else, revealing her name and address – and the detail that she had a trans teen – to a stranger. She said a government employee later apologised by telephone; the Guardian has seen an email from the agency confirming the mistake.

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

“My daughter is incredibly private. She is immensely fearful of being outed in any public space. She doesn’t like people to be aware that she’s trans,” Louise said.

“I honor that to my very being as much as humanly possible. The only time I ever share is out of necessity for obtaining entry to supports and exclusively to people I deem trustworthy and I trust completely.”

Louise was particularly concerned about the implication it would be “verified” by the medical facility.

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

Other Parent Voices 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 information,” she said.

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

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

“I would not share that information to any other organisation that requested it, particularly in the climate of the present environment,” she said.

“It’s such highly confidential information. You wouldn’t disclose, for instance, your medical condition to the government office, you know. You’d be very reluctant and careful to provide such details to a group of officials, basically.”

Legal Service Weighing Further Action

The LGBTI Legal Service, which assisted the parent in her challenge, was evaluating a new legal action, it said recently.

Its president, Ren Shike, said the decision had affected about 500 Queensland children and their relatives and it was “important to promptly enable the supply of reasons so that minors and their guardians can comprehend the reasoning behind this decision, which has had such a devastating impact on their access to healthcare”.

Authorities Stance on Prohibition

The authorities has repeatedly said the prohibition would remain in place until a examination into trans healthcare had been finished.