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The state government disclosed confidential information about the parent of a trans teenager – data she says potentially “outed” her child – to a stranger.

Accusations of “Intimidation” and “Privacy Violation”

The disclosure came as the state government was accused of “coercion” and “a breach of confidentiality” after requesting private medical information from guardians of trans youth who are considering a further court case to its controversial prohibition on hormone blockers.

Recent Government Directive on Hormone Treatments

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

Guardian Australia has spoken to four mothers who have contacted Nicholls for a legal document called a explanation of decision – a detailed account of why the authorities decided to ban hormone treatments in the state. By law, the paper must be provided under the legal statute.

Requested Medical Details

All four were asked by the Queensland health department for particulars of their teen’s health background, including the minor’s identity, their date of birth and any supporting documents which supports your teen having a medical confirmation of gender dysphoria”.

The details were requested before the explanation would be released.

The message, which has been seen by the media, also asked them to “please also confirm if your child is a patient of the youth gender service so that we can confirm the information submitted with the health service,” states the communication, which was dispatched recently.

Parents Describe Demand as Invasion of Privacy

Each parent characterized the request as an invasion of privacy.

A mother said she was reluctant to share the details because the state government had accidentally forwarded her information to a different parent.

“It feels like having to reveal your teen to actually get a response; like, it’s frightening,” she said.

Situation of the Mother

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

Earlier, the department emailed a response meant for her to another parent, revealing her name and location – and the fact that she had a trans teen – to a stranger. She said a department official later apologised by telephone; the Guardian has obtained an message from the agency admitting the mistake.

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

“My daughter is incredibly private. She is deeply afraid of being outed in any social setting. She doesn’t like anyone to be aware that she’s transgender,” Louise said.

“I honor that to my core as much as possible. The sole occasion I ever disclose is out of necessity for obtaining entry to supports and only to people I deem incredibly safe and I trust completely.”

Louise was especially worried about the suggestion it would be “verified” by the hospital.

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

Additional Parent Voices Worries

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

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

“To think that that data could accidentally be disclosed one day, in any way, you know, although that was unintentional, could be deeply, deeply distressing to them.”

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

“I would not share that data to another entity that requested it, particularly in the climate of the current political climate,” she said.

“It’s such highly confidential information. You would not reveal, for instance, your medical condition to the minister’s office, you know. You’d be hesitant and very cautious to submit any of that information to a group of officials, basically.”

Advocacy Group Weighing Second Lawsuit

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

The head, Ren Shike, said the ruling had impacted about 500 Queensland children and their relatives and it was crucial to efficiently facilitate the provision of explanations so that children and their guardians can comprehend the logic behind this ruling, which has had such a devastating impact on their medical care”.

Government Position on Prohibition

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