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

Accusations of “Intimidation” and “Invasion of Privacy”

The revelation emerged as the government was accused of “intimidation” and “an invasion of privacy” after requesting confidential health records from guardians of transgender children who are contemplating a additional legal challenge to its controversial prohibition on puberty blockers.

Recent Government Directive on Hormone Treatments

Last month, the Queensland health official, Tim Nicholls, issued a new order prohibiting the prescription of puberty blockers for trans individuals, shortly after the state’s supreme court ruled the government’s first attempt was unlawful.

Guardian Australia has spoken to several parents who have approached Nicholls for a legal document called a statement of reasons – a detailed account of why the government decided to ban hormone treatments in the state. Legally, the document must be provided under the state’s Judicial Review Act.

Demanded Health Information

Each were required by the health authorities for details of their teen’s health background, including “your child’s name, their date of birth and any supporting documents which supports your child having a clinical diagnosis of gender identity disorder”.

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

The email, which has been reviewed by the media, also instructed them to verify if your teen is a patient of the Queensland Children’s Gender Clinic so that we can confirm the data provided with the health service,” reads the communication, which was dispatched recently.

Parents Label Demand as Invasion of Privacy

Each parent described the request as an violation of confidentiality.

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

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

Case of the Mother

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

In May, the department emailed a response intended for her to another parent, revealing her name and location – and the fact that she had a transgender child – to a stranger. She said a government employee later said sorry over the phone; the Guardian has seen an email from the agency admitting the mistake.

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

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

“I honor that to my very being as much as humanly possible. The only time I ever, ever disclose is out of need for obtaining entry to supports and only to people I consider trustworthy and I know well.”

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

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

Additional Mother Voices Worries

Sally* said she was unwilling disclosing the medical history of her young gender-diverse child.

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

“To think that that information could inadvertently be leaked one day, in any manner, you know, although that was accidental, could be extremely upsetting to him.”

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

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

“It’s such highly confidential information. You would not reveal, 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 mother in her case, was considering a second lawsuit, it said last week.

The head, Ren Shike, said the ruling had impacted about hundreds of minors and their relatives and it was crucial to promptly enable the supply of explanations so that minors and their guardians can comprehend the reasoning behind this decision, which has had such a devastating impact on their medical care”.

Government Position on Ban

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