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

Allegations of “Bullying” and “Invasion of Privacy”

The disclosure emerged as the government was charged of “intimidation” and “an invasion of privacy” after demanding private health records from guardians of trans youth who are contemplating a further legal challenge to its controversial ban on puberty blockers.

Latest Official Directive on Puberty Blockers

Last month, the Queensland health minister, Tim Nicholls, enacted a fresh directive prohibiting the use of puberty blockers for transgender patients, just hours after the state’s supreme court ruled the initial ban was illegal.

Media has spoken to several parents who have contacted Nicholls for a official paper called a explanation of decision – a formal explanation of why the government made a decision to prohibit hormone treatments in the state. Legally, the paper must be supplied under the state’s Judicial Review Act.

Demanded Medical Details

Each were asked 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 medical confirmation of gender identity disorder”.

The details were sought before the explanation would be provided.

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 verify the data provided with the health service,” reads the communication, which was dispatched recently.

Mothers Label Demand as Invasion of Privacy

All four mothers described the request as an invasion of privacy.

One parent said she was reluctant to share the information because the authorities had mistakenly forwarded her information to a another individual.

“It feels like having to reveal your child to obtain a reply; like, it’s terrifying,” she said.

Situation of the Mother

Louise*, who must remain anonymous because it would also identify or expose her child, was one of several who asked for a statement of reasons both times.

In May, the department sent a reply meant for her to another parent, disclosing her identity and address – and the detail that she had a transgender child – to a third party. She said a government employee later said sorry over the phone; the Guardian has obtained an message from the agency confirming the mistake.

She said she felt “sick and unsafe” as a consequence 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 know that she’s trans,” the mother said.

“I respect that to my core as much as possible. The only time I ever disclose is out of necessity for gaining access to supports and only to people I consider incredibly safe and I trust completely.”

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

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

Other Mother Expresses Worries

Sally* said she was unwilling revealing the medical history of her seven-year-old gender-diverse child.

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

“To think that that data could inadvertently be leaked someday, in any way, you know, even if that was unintentional, could be deeply, deeply distressing to them.”

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

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

“It’s such highly confidential stuff. You would not reveal, for example, your HIV status to the government office, you know. You’d be hesitant and very cautious to submit such details to a bunch of bureaucrats, essentially.”

Legal Service Considering Second Lawsuit

The advocacy organization, which represented the mother in her case, was considering a new legal action, it said last week.

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

Government Stance on Prohibition

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