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The state government disclosed private information about the mother of a transgender teenager – data she says potentially exposed her teen – to a stranger.

Accusations of “Bullying” and “Privacy Violation”

The disclosure came as the government was accused of “intimidation” and “a breach of confidentiality” after demanding confidential health records from guardians of trans youth who are contemplating a further legal challenge to its controversial ban on hormone blockers.

Recent Official Order on Hormone Treatments

Recently, the state health minister, Tim Nicholls, enacted a new order banning the use of hormone blockers for transgender patients, shortly after the state’s supreme court determined the initial ban was unlawful.

Media has spoken to four mothers who have contacted Nicholls for a legal document called a explanation of decision – a formal explanation of why the government decided to prohibit hormone treatments in the region. Legally, the paper must be supplied under the state’s Judicial Review Act.

Requested Health Information

All four were asked by the Queensland health department for particulars of their child’s medical history, including “your child’s name, their birthdate and any supporting documents which supports your teen having a medical confirmation of gender dysphoria”.

The details were sought before the statement of reasons would be released.

The message, which has been seen by the media, also asked them to “please also confirm if your teen is a patient of the Queensland Children’s Gender Clinic so that we can confirm the data provided with Children’s Health Queensland,” reads the email, which was sent recently.

Parents Label Demand as Breach of Confidentiality

Each parent described the request as an violation of confidentiality.

One parent said she was hesitant to share the details because the authorities had accidentally forwarded her data to a different parent.

“It feels like having to reveal 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 reveal or “out” her child, was one of several who requested a statement of reasons both times.

In May, the department sent a reply intended for her to another parent, revealing her identity and address – and the fact that she had a trans teen – to a third party. She said a department official later said sorry over the phone; the Guardian has obtained an email from the agency admitting the mistake.

She said she felt “sick and unsafe” as a result of the error.

“My child is incredibly private. She is deeply afraid of being outed in any social setting. She doesn’t like anyone to know that she’s transgender,” the mother said.

“I respect that to my very being as much as humanly possible. The sole occasion I ever disclose is out of need for gaining access to supports and exclusively to people I consider incredibly safe and I know well.”

Louise was especially worried about the suggestion it would be “confirmed” by the hospital.

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

Additional Parent Expresses Worries

Sally* said she was not comfortable revealing the health background of her young gender-diverse child.

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

“To imagine that that data could inadvertently be disclosed someday, in any way, you know, although that was unintentional, could be extremely upsetting to them.”

She wrote back saying the department had asked for an “extraordinary amount of information”.

“I would not share that information to another entity that requested it, especially in the context of the present environment,” she said.

“It’s such intensely private 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 bunch of bureaucrats, basically.”

Advocacy Group Weighing Further Action

The LGBTI Legal Service, which assisted the parent in her challenge, was evaluating a second lawsuit, it said recently.

Its president, Ren Shike, said the ruling had impacted about hundreds of minors and their families and it was crucial to promptly enable the supply of explanations so that minors and their parents can comprehend the reasoning behind this ruling, which has had such a severe effect on their access to healthcare”.

Government Stance on Prohibition

The authorities has repeatedly said the prohibition would stay enforced until a examination into gender-affirming care had been completed.