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The Queensland government released confidential information about the mother of a transgender teenager – data she claims potentially “outed” her child – to a stranger.

Accusations of “Intimidation” and “Invasion of Privacy”

The revelation came as the government was charged of “intimidation” and “a breach of confidentiality” after demanding confidential health records from parents of transgender children who are considering a further court case to its controversial prohibition on puberty blockers.

Recent Official Directive on Puberty Blockers

Last month, the state health official, Tim Nicholls, enacted a fresh directive prohibiting the prescription of puberty blockers for trans individuals, shortly after the high court determined the initial ban was illegal.

Guardian Australia has spoken to several parents who have approached Nicholls for a official paper called a statement of reasons – a detailed account of why the authorities made a decision to prohibit puberty blockers in the region. Legally, the document must be provided under the legal statute.

Demanded Health Information

Each were required by the health authorities for particulars of their teen’s health background, 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 seen by the media, also asked them to “please also confirm if your child is a client of the Queensland Children’s Gender Clinic so that we can verify the information submitted with the health service,” states the email, which was dispatched last Friday.

Mothers Describe Demand as Invasion of Privacy

Each parent described the demand as an violation of confidentiality.

One parent said she was hesitant to share the details because the state government had mistakenly 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.

Case of Louise*

The parent, who must remain anonymous because it would also reveal or expose her teen, was among those who asked for a statement of reasons on multiple occasions.

In May, the agency sent a response meant for her to another parent, disclosing her name and address – and the detail that she had a trans teen – to a third party. She said a department official later apologised over the phone; the media has obtained an message from the agency admitting the mistake.

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

“My child is incredibly private. She is immensely fearful of being exposed in any public space. She dislikes anyone to know that she’s trans,” the mother said.

“I respect that to my very being as much as possible. The sole occasion I ever, ever disclose is out of need for obtaining entry to services and exclusively to people I deem incredibly safe and I trust completely.”

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

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

Additional Mother Expresses Worries

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

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

“To imagine that that information could inadvertently be disclosed one day, in any way, you know, even if that was unintentional, could be deeply, deeply distressing to him.”

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

“I wouldn’t provide that data to another entity that requested it, especially in the climate of the present environment,” 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 very reluctant and very cautious to submit any of that information to a group of officials, basically.”

Legal Service Considering Second Lawsuit

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

Its president, Ren Shike, said the decision had affected about 500 Queensland children and their relatives and it was crucial to promptly enable the provision of reasons so that children and their guardians can comprehend the logic behind this ruling, which has had such a severe effect on their medical care”.

Government Position on Prohibition

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