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The Queensland government disclosed confidential details about the parent of a trans teenager – data she says potentially “outed” her teen – to a unknown individual.

Accusations of “Bullying” and “Privacy Violation”

The revelation came as the government was charged of “coercion” and “an invasion of privacy” after requesting private medical information from guardians of trans youth who are considering a further legal challenge to its controversial ban on puberty blockers.

Recent Government Order on Hormone Treatments

Last month, the Queensland health minister, Tim Nicholls, enacted a fresh directive prohibiting the use of puberty blockers for trans individuals, just hours after the state’s supreme court ruled the government’s first attempt was illegal.

Guardian Australia has spoken to four mothers who have contacted Nicholls for a official paper called a explanation of decision – a formal explanation of why the authorities made a decision to prohibit puberty blockers in the state. Legally, the document must be provided under the legal statute.

Demanded Health Information

Each were asked by the health authorities for particulars of their teen’s health background, including the minor’s identity, their birthdate and any supporting documents which confirms your teen having a clinical diagnosis of gender identity disorder”.

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

The email, which has been seen by the media, also instructed them to “please also confirm if your teen is a patient of the youth gender service so that we can verify the data submitted with the health service,” reads the communication, which was sent last Friday.

Parents Label Request as Breach of Confidentiality

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

A mother said she was reluctant to divulge the information because the state government had mistakenly sent her data to a another individual.

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

Case of the Mother

The parent, who must remain anonymous because it would also reveal or “out” her teen, was among those who requested a statement of reasons both times.

Earlier, the agency sent a reply meant for her to another parent, revealing her name and location – and the fact that she had a trans teen – to a third party. She said a government employee later said sorry over the phone; the Guardian has seen an message from the department admitting the mistake.

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

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

“I respect that to my very being as much as possible. The sole occasion I ever, ever share is out of necessity for obtaining entry to supports and exclusively to individuals I consider incredibly safe and I know well.”

Louise was especially worried about the implication it would be “verified” by the hospital.

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

Other Mother Expresses Concerns

Sally* said she was unwilling revealing the medical history of her young non-binary child.

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

“To imagine that that information could inadvertently be disclosed one day, in any way, you know, even if that was unintentional, could be extremely upsetting to him.”

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

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

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

Legal Service Weighing Further Action

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

Its president, Ren Shike, said the decision had impacted about hundreds of minors and their families and it was crucial to efficiently facilitate the supply of explanations so that children and their parents can comprehend the logic behind this ruling, which has had such a devastating impact on their access to healthcare”.

Authorities Position on Prohibition

The authorities has repeatedly said the prohibition would stay enforced until a examination into trans healthcare had been completed.