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The state government disclosed confidential details about the mother of a trans teenager – data she claims potentially exposed her teen – to a unknown individual.

Allegations of “Bullying” and “Invasion of Privacy”

The revelation came as the government was charged of “intimidation” and “a breach of confidentiality” after requesting private health records from parents of trans youth who are contemplating a further court case to its controversial ban on hormone blockers.

Recent Government Order on Puberty Blockers

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

Guardian Australia has spoken to several parents who have contacted Nicholls for a legal document called a explanation of decision – a detailed account of why the authorities decided to prohibit puberty blockers in the region. By law, the document must be supplied under the legal statute.

Demanded Health Information

Each were asked by the Queensland health department for details of their teen’s health background, including the minor’s identity, their birthdate and any other evidence which confirms your teen having a medical confirmation of gender dysphoria”.

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

The message, which has been reviewed by the Guardian, also instructed them to “please also confirm if your teen is a patient of the youth gender service so that we can confirm the data provided with the health service,” states the communication, which was dispatched last Friday.

Mothers Label Demand as Invasion of Privacy

Each parent characterized the request as an violation of confidentiality.

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

“It feels like having to reveal your child 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 expose her child, was among those who requested a explanation both times.

In May, the agency sent a reply meant for her to someone else, revealing her identity and location – and the detail that she had a transgender child – to a third party. She said a government employee later said sorry by telephone; the Guardian has seen an email from the agency confirming the mistake.

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

“My daughter is incredibly private. She is immensely fearful of being outed in any public space. She dislikes anyone to be aware that she’s trans,” Louise said.

“I respect that to my core as much as humanly possible. The only time I ever, ever share is out of need for gaining access to services and exclusively to individuals I consider trustworthy and I know well.”

Louise was especially worried about the suggestion it would be “confirmed” by the medical facility.

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

Other Parent Expresses Worries

Sally* said she was not comfortable revealing the medical history of her young gender-diverse child.

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

“To think that that information could inadvertently be leaked someday, in any way, you know, even if that was unintentional, could be extremely upsetting to them.”

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

“I would not share that information to any other organisation that asked for it, especially in the context of the current political climate,” she said.

“It’s such intensely private information. You wouldn’t disclose, for instance, your medical condition to the government office, you know. You’d be hesitant and careful to submit any of that information to a bunch of bureaucrats, basically.”

Legal Service Weighing Further Action

The advocacy organization, which represented the mother in her challenge, was evaluating a second lawsuit, it said last week.

The head, Ren Shike, said the decision had affected about hundreds of minors and their relatives and it was “important to efficiently facilitate the supply of explanations so that minors and their parents can comprehend the reasoning behind this ruling, which has had such a severe effect on their access to healthcare”.

Government Position on Ban

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