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The state government released confidential details about the parent of a trans teenager – information she says potentially “outed” her teen – to a stranger.

Allegations of “Intimidation” and “Invasion of Privacy”

The disclosure came as the government was charged of “intimidation” and “a breach of confidentiality” after demanding private medical information from guardians of trans youth who are considering a further legal challenge to its controversial ban on hormone blockers.

Latest Official Directive on Puberty Blockers

Recently, the state health minister, Tim Nicholls, enacted a new order banning the prescription of puberty blockers for trans individuals, just hours after the high court determined the government’s first attempt was illegal.

Media has spoken to four mothers who have approached Nicholls for a legal document called a statement of reasons – a formal explanation of why the authorities decided to prohibit puberty blockers in the region. By law, the paper must be supplied under the state’s Judicial Review Act.

Demanded Health Information

Each were asked by the health authorities for details of their teen’s health background, including the minor’s identity, 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 provided.

The message, which has been reviewed by the media, also asked them to verify if your teen is a patient of the Queensland Children’s Gender Clinic so that we can confirm the information provided with the health service,” states the communication, which was sent last Friday.

Mothers Describe Demand as Breach of Confidentiality

Each parent described the demand as an invasion of privacy.

A mother said she was reluctant to share the details because the authorities had accidentally forwarded her information to a another individual.

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

Situation of the Mother

The parent, who must remain anonymous because it would also reveal or expose her child, was among those who requested a explanation on multiple occasions.

In May, the department sent a response meant for her to someone else, revealing her identity and address – and the detail that she had a trans teen – to a stranger. She said a government employee later said sorry by telephone; the media has seen an email from the department admitting the error.

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

“My daughter is incredibly private. She is deeply afraid of being exposed in any public space. She dislikes people to be aware that she’s trans,” the mother said.

“I respect that to my core as much as possible. The sole occasion I ever, ever disclose is out of need for obtaining entry to services and exclusively to individuals I deem trustworthy and I trust completely.”

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

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

Other Mother Expresses Concerns

Sally* said she was unwilling disclosing the medical history of her seven-year-old non-binary child.

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

“To think that that information could accidentally be disclosed someday, in any manner, you know, although that was unintentional, could be deeply, deeply distressing to him.”

She responded saying the department had asked for an “excessive level of detail”.

“I would not share that information to any other organisation that requested it, especially in the context of the present environment,” she said.

“It’s such intensely private stuff. You would not reveal, for example, your medical condition 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, essentially.”

Legal Service Weighing Second Lawsuit

The advocacy organization, which represented the parent in her case, was evaluating a second lawsuit, it said recently.

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

Government Stance on Ban

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