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The Queensland government released private information about the parent of a transgender teenager – data she claims potentially exposed her child – to a stranger.

Allegations of “Bullying” and “Invasion of Privacy”

The disclosure came as the state government was charged of “intimidation” and “an invasion of privacy” after demanding private health records from parents of trans youth who are considering a further legal challenge to its controversial prohibition on puberty blockers.

Latest Official Order on Hormone Treatments

Recently, the state health official, Tim Nicholls, issued a new order prohibiting the prescription of puberty blockers for trans individuals, just hours after the high court determined the initial ban was unlawful.

Media has interviewed several parents who have contacted Nicholls for a official paper called a statement of reasons – a detailed account of why the authorities decided to prohibit puberty blockers in the region. By law, the paper must be supplied under the legal statute.

Demanded Medical Details

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

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

The message, which has been seen by the media, also instructed them to verify if your child is a client of the Queensland Children’s Gender Clinic so that we can confirm the data provided with the health service,” states the email, which was dispatched last Friday.

Parents Describe Request as Invasion of Privacy

Each parent described the request as an invasion of privacy.

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

“It feels like having to ‘out’ your teen to actually get a reply; like, it’s terrifying,” she said.

Situation of the Mother

Louise*, who cannot be legally identified because it would also identify or “out” her child, was among those who requested a explanation both times.

In May, the agency sent a response intended 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 said sorry over the phone; the Guardian has seen an message from the agency confirming the error.

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

“My child is incredibly private. She is immensely fearful of being outed in any public space. She doesn’t like people to know that she’s trans,” Louise said.

“I honor that to my very being as much as possible. The only time I ever share is out of need for gaining access to services and exclusively to people I deem trustworthy and I trust completely.”

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

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

Additional Parent Voices Worries

Sally* said she was not comfortable disclosing the medical history of her young non-binary child.

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

“To imagine that that data could accidentally be disclosed someday, in any manner, you know, although that was accidental, could be deeply, deeply distressing to him.”

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

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

“It’s such intensely private information. You wouldn’t disclose, for example, your medical condition to the minister’s office, you know. You’d be very reluctant and careful to provide any of that information to a group of officials, essentially.”

Legal Service Weighing Further Action

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

Its president, Ren Shike, said the ruling had impacted about 500 Queensland children and their families and it was crucial to efficiently facilitate the supply of reasons so that children and their parents can understand the reasoning behind this decision, which has had such a devastating impact on their access to healthcare”.

Government Position on Ban

The government has consistently said the prohibition would stay enforced until a review into trans healthcare had been finished.