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The Queensland government disclosed private details about the mother of a transgender teenager – data she says potentially “outed” her teen – to a stranger.

Allegations of “Intimidation” and “Privacy Violation”

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

Recent Official Order on Puberty Blockers

Recently, the state health official, Tim Nicholls, enacted a new order prohibiting the prescription of hormone blockers for transgender patients, just hours after the state’s supreme court determined the government’s first attempt was illegal.

Guardian Australia has interviewed four mothers who have contacted Nicholls for a legal document called a statement of reasons – a detailed account of why the authorities made a decision to prohibit puberty blockers in the region. By law, the paper must be provided under the legal statute.

Demanded Health Information

Each were required by the health authorities for particulars of their child’s medical history, including “your child’s name, their birthdate and any supporting documents which supports your child having a medical confirmation of gender dysphoria”.

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

The email, which has been seen by the media, also asked them to verify if your teen is a client of the Queensland Children’s Gender Clinic so that we can verify the information submitted with Children’s Health Queensland,” reads the email, which was sent last Friday.

Mothers Describe Request as Invasion of Privacy

All four mothers characterized the demand as an violation of confidentiality.

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

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

Situation of the Mother

Louise*, who must remain anonymous because it would also reveal or expose her teen, was among those who requested a explanation both times.

Earlier, the department sent a response meant for her to someone else, disclosing her name and address – and the fact that she had a trans teen – to a third party. 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 “sick and unsafe” as a consequence 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 trans,” Louise said.

“I respect that to my very being as much as humanly possible. The only time I ever share is out of necessity for gaining access 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 hospital.

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

Additional Parent Expresses Concerns

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

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

“To imagine that that data could accidentally be disclosed one day, in any way, you know, even if that was unintentional, could be extremely upsetting to them.”

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

“I would not share that information to any other organisation that asked for it, particularly in the climate of the current political climate,” she said.

“It’s such highly confidential stuff. You would not reveal, for example, your HIV status to the government 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 considering a second lawsuit, it said last week.

The head, Ren Shike, said the ruling had affected about hundreds of minors and their relatives and it was crucial to efficiently facilitate the provision of reasons so that minors and their guardians can understand the reasoning behind this decision, which has had such a devastating impact on their access to healthcare”.

Authorities Stance on Ban

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