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The Queensland government disclosed private information about the mother of a transgender teenager – information she claims potentially exposed her teen – to a unknown individual.

Allegations of “Intimidation” and “Privacy Violation”

The revelation emerged as the government was accused of “intimidation” and “an invasion of privacy” after demanding private health records from guardians of transgender children who are contemplating a further court case to its disputed prohibition on hormone blockers.

Latest Government Order on Hormone Treatments

Last month, the Queensland health official, Tim Nicholls, issued a new order banning the use of hormone blockers for trans individuals, shortly after the state’s supreme court ruled the initial ban was unlawful.

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 made a decision to prohibit puberty blockers in the state. By law, the paper must be supplied under the legal statute.

Requested Medical Details

All four were required by the health authorities for details of their teen’s health background, including the minor’s identity, their date of birth and any other evidence which confirms your child having a medical confirmation of gender dysphoria”.

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

The email, which has been seen by the media, also instructed them to verify if your teen is a client of the youth gender service so that we can verify the data submitted with Children’s Health Queensland,” states the email, which was sent recently.

Mothers Label Demand as Invasion of Privacy

All four mothers described the request as an invasion of privacy.

One parent said she was hesitant to share the details because the state government had mistakenly forwarded her information to a different parent.

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

Situation of the Mother

Louise*, who cannot be legally identified because it would also identify or expose her teen, was among those who asked for a explanation on multiple occasions.

In May, the agency emailed a response meant for her to someone else, revealing her identity and location – and the fact that she had a transgender child – to a third party. She said a government employee later apologised over the phone; the Guardian has seen an message from the agency 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 exposed in any public space. She doesn’t like people to know that she’s trans,” the mother said.

“I respect that to my core as much as humanly possible. The only time I ever, ever share is out of need for obtaining entry to services and exclusively to people I deem incredibly safe and I trust completely.”

Louise was particularly concerned about the implication it would be “confirmed” by the medical facility.

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

Other Parent Voices Worries

Sally* said she was unwilling revealing the health background of her young gender-diverse child.

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

“To imagine that that data could accidentally be leaked someday, in any way, you know, although that was unintentional, could be extremely upsetting to him.”

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

“I wouldn’t provide that information to another entity that asked for it, especially in the context of the current political climate,” she said.

“It’s such highly confidential stuff. You would not reveal, for instance, your medical condition to the minister’s office, you know. You’d be very reluctant and careful to submit such details to a bunch of bureaucrats, basically.”

Advocacy Group Considering Second Lawsuit

The advocacy organization, which assisted the mother in her challenge, was considering a second lawsuit, it said recently.

The head, Ren Shike, said the ruling had affected about hundreds of minors and their families and it was “important to efficiently facilitate the provision of explanations so that children and their parents can comprehend the logic behind this decision, which has had such a severe effect on their medical care”.

Government Stance on Prohibition

The authorities has consistently said the prohibition would stay enforced until a examination into gender-affirming care had been completed.