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The Queensland government disclosed private details about the mother of a transgender teenager – information she says potentially exposed her teen – to a unknown individual.

Accusations of “Intimidation” and “Invasion of Privacy”

The disclosure came as the government was charged of “coercion” and “a breach of confidentiality” after demanding private health records from guardians of transgender children who are considering a further legal challenge to its controversial prohibition on puberty blockers.

Latest Government Order on Puberty Blockers

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

Guardian Australia has spoken to several parents who have contacted Nicholls for a legal document called a explanation of decision – a detailed account of why the authorities decided to ban puberty blockers in the region. Legally, the paper must be provided under the state’s Judicial Review Act.

Requested Medical Details

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

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

The message, which has been reviewed by the Guardian, also asked them to “please also confirm if your child is a patient of the Queensland Children’s Gender Clinic so that we can confirm the information provided with the health service,” reads the communication, which was dispatched recently.

Parents Label Demand as Invasion of Privacy

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

A mother said she was hesitant to share the information because the state government had accidentally forwarded her data to a another individual.

“It seems 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 identify or “out” her teen, was among those who asked for a explanation on multiple occasions.

In May, the department emailed a response meant for her to someone else, disclosing her identity and location – and the detail that she had a transgender child – to a stranger. She said a government employee later apologised by telephone; the media has obtained an email from the department admitting the error.

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

“My daughter is incredibly private. She is deeply afraid of being exposed in any social setting. She doesn’t like anyone to be aware that she’s transgender,” the mother said.

“I honor that to my very being as much as 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 know well.”

The parent was particularly concerned about the implication it would be “confirmed” by the medical facility.

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

Other Parent Voices Concerns

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

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

“To imagine that that data could accidentally be disclosed someday, in any manner, you know, even if that was accidental, could be deeply, deeply distressing to them.”

She wrote back saying the agency had requested an “excessive level of detail”.

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

“It’s such highly confidential stuff. You wouldn’t disclose, for example, your HIV status 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 Weighing Further Action

The advocacy organization, which represented the parent in her case, was considering a new legal action, it said recently.

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

Authorities Stance on Ban

The government has consistently said the prohibition would remain in place until a review into trans healthcare had been finished.