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The state government released private information about the mother of a trans teenager – data she claims potentially exposed her child – to a stranger.

Accusations of “Bullying” and “Privacy Violation”

The revelation came as the government was accused of “coercion” and “an invasion of privacy” after requesting confidential health records from parents of trans youth who are considering a additional legal challenge to its disputed ban on puberty blockers.

Recent Government Directive on Puberty Blockers

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

Media has interviewed several parents who have contacted Nicholls for a official paper called a explanation of decision – a detailed account of why the government decided to prohibit hormone treatments in the state. Legally, the paper must be supplied under the legal statute.

Demanded Health Information

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

The information were sought before the explanation would be released.

The email, which has been seen by the media, also asked them to “please also confirm if your child is a patient of the Queensland Children’s Gender Clinic so that we can verify the data provided with the health service,” states the email, which was dispatched recently.

Parents Describe Demand as Breach of Confidentiality

Each parent characterized the request as an invasion of privacy.

One parent said she was hesitant to divulge the details because the state government had accidentally sent her information to a different parent.

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

Situation of Louise*

Louise*, who cannot be legally identified because it would also identify or “out” her child, was among those who requested a statement of reasons on multiple occasions.

Earlier, the department emailed a reply meant for her to someone else, revealing her name and address – and the detail that she had a trans teen – to a stranger. She said a department official later apologised by telephone; the Guardian has seen an message from the department confirming the mistake.

She said she felt “ill and vulnerable” as a consequence of the error.

“My child is very reserved. She is deeply afraid of being outed in any social setting. She doesn’t like anyone to be aware that she’s transgender,” the mother said.

“I respect that to my very being as much as humanly possible. The sole occasion I ever, ever share is out of necessity for gaining access to supports and exclusively to people I consider incredibly safe and I trust completely.”

The parent was particularly concerned about the implication it would be “verified” by the hospital.

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

Additional Mother Voices Concerns

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

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

“To think that that data could inadvertently be leaked someday, in any manner, you know, although that was accidental, could be extremely upsetting to him.”

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

“I wouldn’t provide that data to another entity that requested it, especially in the climate of the current political climate,” she said.

“It’s such highly confidential information. You would not reveal, for instance, your HIV status to the minister’s office, you know. You’d be hesitant and very cautious to submit any of that information to a bunch of bureaucrats, basically.”

Legal Service Considering Further Action

The LGBTI Legal Service, which assisted the parent in her case, was evaluating a second lawsuit, it said last week.

The head, Ren Shike, said the ruling had impacted about hundreds of minors and their families and it was “important to efficiently facilitate the supply of reasons so that minors and their guardians can comprehend the reasoning behind this decision, which has had such a devastating impact on their medical care”.

Authorities Position on Ban

The authorities has repeatedly said the ban would stay enforced until a examination into trans healthcare had been finished.