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The Queensland government released private information about the mother of a trans teenager – data she says potentially exposed her child – to a unknown individual.

Accusations of “Intimidation” and “Invasion of Privacy”

The revelation came as the government was accused of “intimidation” and “an invasion of privacy” after requesting private medical information from parents of transgender children who are contemplating a additional legal challenge to its controversial prohibition on hormone blockers.

Recent Government Directive on Puberty Blockers

Recently, the Queensland health minister, Tim Nicholls, enacted a new order prohibiting the prescription of hormone blockers for trans individuals, just hours after the high court ruled the government’s first attempt was illegal.

Media has spoken to several parents who have approached Nicholls for a legal document called a explanation of decision – a formal explanation of why the authorities made a decision to ban hormone treatments in the region. By law, the paper must be provided under the legal statute.

Requested Health Information

Each were required by the Queensland health department for details of their child’s medical history, including “your child’s name, their birthdate and any supporting documents which supports your teen having a medical confirmation of gender identity disorder”.

The details were sought before the explanation would be provided.

The message, which has been seen by the Guardian, also asked them to “please also confirm if your teen is a patient of the youth gender service so that we can confirm the information provided with Children’s Health Queensland,” states the email, which was sent last Friday.

Parents Label Demand as Invasion of Privacy

Each parent characterized the request as an violation of confidentiality.

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

“It seems like having to reveal your teen to obtain a reply; like, it’s terrifying,” she said.

Situation of Louise*

Louise*, who must remain anonymous because it would also identify or expose her child, was among those who requested a explanation on multiple occasions.

In May, the agency sent a response meant for her to someone else, disclosing her name and location – and the detail that she had a trans teen – to a third party. She said a department official later said sorry over the phone; the media has obtained an email from the agency confirming the mistake.

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

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

“I respect that to my very being as much as possible. The sole occasion I ever, ever share is out of necessity for gaining access to supports and only to people I deem trustworthy and I know well.”

Louise was particularly concerned about the suggestion it would be “verified” by the hospital.

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

Additional Mother Expresses Worries

Another mother said she was unwilling revealing the health background of her seven-year-old non-binary child.

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

“To think that that information could inadvertently be leaked someday, in any way, you know, even if that was unintentional, could be extremely upsetting to them.”

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

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

“It’s such highly confidential information. You wouldn’t disclose, for instance, your HIV status to the minister’s office, you know. You’d be very reluctant and very cautious to submit such details to a group of officials, essentially.”

Legal Service Considering Second Lawsuit

The LGBTI Legal Service, which represented the mother in her challenge, was considering a new legal action, it said last week.

Its president, Ren Shike, said the decision had affected about hundreds of minors and their families and it was crucial to promptly enable the supply of reasons so that children and their parents can understand the logic behind this decision, which has had such a severe effect on their medical care”.

Government Position on Prohibition

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