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The state government released confidential information about the parent of a transgender teenager – data she claims potentially exposed her child – to a stranger.

Allegations of “Bullying” and “Privacy Violation”

The revelation emerged as the state government was accused of “intimidation” and “a breach of confidentiality” after requesting private medical information from guardians of trans youth who are considering a additional court case to its disputed ban on hormone blockers.

Latest Official Order on Puberty Blockers

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

Guardian Australia has spoken to four mothers who have contacted Nicholls for a legal document called a statement of reasons – a detailed account of why the authorities decided to prohibit puberty blockers in the state. By law, the paper must be supplied under the state’s Judicial Review Act.

Demanded Health Information

Each were required by the Queensland health department for details of their teen’s health background, including the minor’s identity, their birthdate and any other evidence which supports your child having a medical confirmation of gender identity disorder”.

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

The email, which has been seen by the Guardian, also asked them to “please also confirm if your teen is a client of the youth gender service so that we can confirm the information provided with the health service,” reads the communication, which was sent last Friday.

Parents Describe Request as Invasion of Privacy

Each parent described the demand as an violation of confidentiality.

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

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

Situation 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 explanation on multiple occasions.

In May, the agency emailed a reply intended for her to another parent, revealing her identity and location – and the fact 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 message from the department confirming the error.

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

“My child is very reserved. She is immensely fearful of being outed in any public space. She dislikes people to be aware that she’s trans,” Louise said.

“I respect that to my core as much as possible. The sole occasion I ever disclose is out of necessity for gaining access to services and only to individuals I deem trustworthy and I know well.”

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

She said the request was “threatening” and “feels threatening”.

Other Mother Voices Concerns

Another mother said she was unwilling disclosing the medical history of her young gender-diverse child.

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

“To think that that data could inadvertently be leaked one day, in any manner, you know, although that was accidental, could be deeply, deeply distressing to them.”

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

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

“It’s such intensely private information. You would not reveal, for example, your medical condition to the minister’s office, you know. You’d be hesitant and careful to provide such details to a bunch of bureaucrats, basically.”

Advocacy Group Considering Further Action

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

Its president, Ren Shike, said the decision had impacted about 500 Queensland children and their families and it was “important to efficiently facilitate the supply of reasons so that minors and their guardians can understand the logic behind this decision, which has had such a severe effect on their access to healthcare”.

Government Stance on Prohibition

The authorities has consistently said the ban would stay enforced until a review into trans healthcare had been completed.