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The state government released confidential details about the parent of a transgender teenager – information she says potentially “outed” her child – to a unknown individual.

Allegations of “Intimidation” and “Invasion of Privacy”

The revelation came as the state government was accused of “coercion” and “an invasion of privacy” after demanding confidential health records from guardians of trans youth who are considering a additional court case to its controversial prohibition on puberty blockers.

Latest Official Directive on Hormone Treatments

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

Guardian Australia has interviewed several parents who have contacted Nicholls for a legal document called a explanation of decision – a detailed account of why the authorities made a decision to prohibit hormone treatments in the state. Legally, the paper must be provided under the state’s Judicial Review Act.

Demanded Health Information

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 other evidence which confirms your child having a medical confirmation of gender dysphoria”.

The details were sought before the explanation would be released.

The message, which has been reviewed by the Guardian, also asked 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 Children’s Health Queensland,” states the email, which was sent last Friday.

Mothers Describe Demand as Invasion of Privacy

Each parent described the demand as an violation of confidentiality.

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

“It seems like having to ‘out’ your teen to actually get a reply; like, it’s frightening,” she said.

Case of Louise*

Louise*, who must remain anonymous because it would also identify or “out” her child, was one of several who asked for a explanation on multiple occasions.

Earlier, the agency emailed a response meant for her to another parent, revealing her name and location – and the fact that she had a transgender child – to a third party. She said a government employee later apologised over the phone; the media has obtained an email from the department admitting the mistake.

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

“My child is incredibly private. She is deeply afraid of being outed in any public space. She dislikes people to be aware that she’s transgender,” the mother said.

“I honor that to my core as much as humanly possible. The sole occasion I ever, ever disclose is out of necessity for obtaining entry to services and only to people I deem incredibly safe and I trust completely.”

The parent was especially worried about the implication it would be “confirmed” by the hospital.

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

Other Parent Expresses Worries

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

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

“To imagine that that information could accidentally be leaked one day, in any manner, you know, even if that was unintentional, could be extremely upsetting to them.”

She responded saying the department had requested an “excessive level of detail”.

“I wouldn’t provide that data to another entity that requested it, particularly in the context of the present environment,” she said.

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

Legal Service Weighing Second Lawsuit

The advocacy organization, which assisted the parent in her challenge, was evaluating a new legal action, it said recently.

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

Government Stance on Ban

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