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The state government released private details about the mother of a trans teenager – information she claims potentially “outed” her teen – to a stranger.

Allegations of “Bullying” and “Privacy Violation”

The revelation came as the state government was accused of “intimidation” and “an invasion of privacy” after demanding confidential medical information from guardians of trans youth who are considering a additional court case to its disputed ban on hormone blockers.

Latest Official Directive on Hormone Treatments

Recently, the Queensland health minister, Tim Nicholls, issued a fresh directive prohibiting the prescription of puberty blockers for trans individuals, just hours after the state’s supreme court determined the government’s first attempt was illegal.

Media has spoken to several parents who have contacted Nicholls for a legal document called a explanation of decision – a detailed account of why the government made a decision to ban puberty blockers in the state. By law, the paper must be provided under the legal statute.

Requested Medical Details

All four were required by the health authorities for particulars of their child’s medical history, including “your child’s name, their birthdate and any supporting documents which supports your child having a medical confirmation of gender identity disorder”.

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

The message, which has been seen by the media, also instructed them to verify if your teen is a client of the youth gender service so that we can verify the data submitted with Children’s Health Queensland,” reads the communication, which was sent recently.

Parents Label Demand as Invasion of Privacy

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

One parent said she was hesitant to share the details because the authorities had mistakenly sent her information to a different parent.

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

Situation of the Mother

Louise*, who cannot be legally identified because it would also reveal or expose her teen, was one of several who asked for a statement of reasons on multiple occasions.

In May, the department emailed a reply intended for her to another parent, disclosing her identity and address – and the fact that she had a transgender child – to a third party. She said a department official later said sorry by telephone; the Guardian has seen an email from the department admitting the mistake.

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

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

“I honor that to my core as much as possible. The only time I ever, ever disclose is out of necessity for gaining access to services and only to individuals I deem incredibly safe and I know well.”

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

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

Other Mother Voices Worries

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

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

“To imagine that that data could accidentally be disclosed one day, in any way, you know, although that was accidental, could be extremely upsetting to them.”

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

“I would not share that data to any other organisation that requested it, especially in the climate of the current political climate,” she said.

“It’s such intensely private stuff. You wouldn’t disclose, for instance, your medical condition to the government office, you know. You’d be hesitant and very cautious to submit such details to a group of officials, essentially.”

Advocacy Group Weighing Second Lawsuit

The LGBTI Legal Service, which assisted the mother in her challenge, was considering a second lawsuit, it said last week.

Its president, Ren Shike, said the ruling had affected about hundreds of minors and their relatives and it was crucial to efficiently facilitate the provision of explanations so that children and their guardians can comprehend the logic behind this ruling, which has had such a severe effect on their access to healthcare”.

Government Position on Prohibition

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