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The state government released private information about the parent of a trans teenager – information she claims potentially exposed her teen – to a unknown individual.

Allegations of “Intimidation” and “Privacy Violation”

The revelation came as the government was accused of “intimidation” and “a breach of confidentiality” after requesting private medical information from parents of trans youth who are considering a additional court case to its controversial prohibition on hormone blockers.

Recent Official Directive on Puberty Blockers

Last month, the Queensland health minister, Tim Nicholls, issued a fresh directive banning the prescription 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 statement of reasons – a detailed account of why the government made a decision to prohibit hormone treatments in the state. By law, the paper must be supplied under the state’s Judicial Review Act.

Demanded Health Information

Each were asked by the health authorities for particulars of their child’s medical history, including “your child’s name, their date of birth and any other evidence which confirms your teen having a medical confirmation of gender identity disorder”.

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

The email, which has been seen by the media, also instructed them to verify if your child is a client of the Queensland Children’s Gender Clinic so that we can verify the data provided with the health service,” reads the email, which was sent last Friday.

Parents Label Demand as Breach of Confidentiality

Each parent characterized the request as an violation of confidentiality.

A mother said she was reluctant to share the details because the state government had accidentally forwarded her information to a different parent.

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

Situation of Louise*

Louise*, who must remain anonymous because it would also reveal or “out” her child, was among those who asked for a explanation on multiple occasions.

In May, the agency sent a response meant for her to someone else, revealing her name and location – and the detail that she had a trans teen – to a stranger. She said a government employee later said sorry over the phone; 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 social setting. She dislikes anyone to be aware that she’s transgender,” the mother said.

“I respect that to my core as much as humanly possible. The sole occasion I ever disclose is out of need for obtaining entry to services and only to individuals I consider incredibly safe and I trust completely.”

The parent was particularly concerned about the suggestion it would be “confirmed” by the hospital.

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

Additional Mother Voices Worries

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

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

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

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

“I would not share that information to any other organisation that asked for it, particularly in the climate of the current political climate,” she said.

“It’s such highly confidential information. You would not reveal, for example, your HIV status to the minister’s office, you know. You’d be very reluctant and careful to provide any of that information to a bunch of bureaucrats, essentially.”

Legal Service Weighing Second Lawsuit

The advocacy organization, which assisted the parent in her case, was considering a second lawsuit, it said last week.

The head, Ren Shike, said the decision had affected about 500 Queensland children and their families and it was “important to efficiently facilitate the supply of explanations so that children and their parents can comprehend the reasoning behind this ruling, which has had such a severe effect on their medical care”.

Government Stance on Ban

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