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The Queensland government disclosed private information about the parent of a transgender teenager – information she says potentially “outed” her teen – to a unknown individual.

Accusations of “Bullying” and “Invasion of Privacy”

The disclosure came as the state government was accused of “intimidation” and “a breach of confidentiality” after requesting private health records from guardians of trans youth who are considering a additional court case to its disputed prohibition on hormone blockers.

Latest Government Directive on Hormone Treatments

Recently, the Queensland health minister, Tim Nicholls, enacted a new order banning the use of hormone blockers for trans individuals, shortly after the high court determined the initial ban was illegal.

Guardian Australia has interviewed several parents who have approached Nicholls for a legal document called a statement of reasons – 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

Each were required by the health authorities for details of their child’s medical history, including the minor’s identity, their date of birth and any supporting documents which supports your teen having a medical confirmation of gender dysphoria”.

The information were sought before the explanation would be provided.

The message, which has been reviewed by the media, also instructed them to verify if your teen is a client of the youth gender service so that we can confirm the data provided with the health service,” states the communication, which was sent recently.

Mothers Label Request as Invasion of Privacy

Each parent characterized the demand as an violation of confidentiality.

A mother said she was reluctant to divulge the information because the state government had mistakenly forwarded her data to a another individual.

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

Case of the Mother

The parent, who must remain anonymous because it would also reveal or expose her child, was one of several who requested a explanation both times.

Earlier, the department sent a reply intended for her to another parent, disclosing her identity and address – and the detail that she had a trans teen – to a third party. She said a government employee later said sorry over the phone; the media has obtained an email from the department confirming the error.

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

“My daughter is very reserved. She is immensely fearful of being exposed in any social setting. She dislikes anyone to know that she’s trans,” the mother said.

“I honor that to my core as much as possible. The sole occasion I ever disclose is out of need for obtaining entry to supports and only to individuals I deem trustworthy 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 “threatening” and “feels threatening”.

Other Parent Voices Worries

Sally* said she was not comfortable disclosing the health background of her young non-binary child.

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

“To think that that information could inadvertently be disclosed someday, in any way, you know, although that was unintentional, could be deeply, deeply distressing to him.”

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

“I wouldn’t provide that data to any other organisation that asked for it, especially in the context of the current political climate,” she said.

“It’s such highly confidential information. You wouldn’t disclose, for instance, your medical condition to the minister’s office, you know. You’d be hesitant and careful to submit such details to a group of officials, basically.”

Legal Service Considering Further Action

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

The head, Ren Shike, said the decision had impacted about 500 Queensland children and their relatives and it was “important to efficiently facilitate the provision of reasons so that minors and their parents can understand 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 prohibition would remain in place until a examination into trans healthcare had been completed.