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The Queensland government released private information about the mother of a transgender teenager – data she claims potentially “outed” her teen – to a stranger.

Accusations of “Bullying” and “Invasion of Privacy”

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

Recent Government Directive on Puberty Blockers

Recently, the state health minister, Tim Nicholls, issued a new order banning the use of hormone blockers for transgender patients, shortly after the state’s supreme court determined the initial ban was unlawful.

Guardian Australia has interviewed several parents who have approached Nicholls for a official paper called a explanation of decision – a detailed account of why the government decided to ban hormone treatments in the state. By law, the paper must be provided under the state’s Judicial Review Act.

Requested Health Information

All four were required by the Queensland health department for details of their child’s medical history, including “your child’s name, their date of birth and any other evidence which supports your child having a clinical diagnosis of gender dysphoria”.

The details were sought before the statement of reasons would be provided.

The email, which has been reviewed by the media, also asked them to “please also confirm if your teen is a client 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 recently.

Parents Label Demand as Breach of Confidentiality

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

A mother said she was hesitant to divulge the details because the authorities had accidentally forwarded her data to a different parent.

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

Case of the Mother

The parent, who must remain anonymous because it would also identify or expose her teen, was among those who requested a explanation both times.

In May, the agency sent a reply meant for her to someone else, revealing her name and address – and the detail that she had a trans teen – to a stranger. She said a department official later apologised over the phone; the media has seen an email from the department confirming the mistake.

She said she felt “sick and unsafe” as a consequence 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 very being as much as humanly possible. The only time I ever, ever share is out of necessity for obtaining entry to supports and exclusively to individuals I consider trustworthy and I know well.”

The parent was especially worried about the implication it would be “verified” by the medical facility.

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

Other Parent Voices Worries

Sally* said she was not comfortable revealing the health background of her young non-binary child.

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

“To imagine that that data could inadvertently be disclosed someday, in any manner, you know, even if that was unintentional, could be deeply, deeply distressing to them.”

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

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

“It’s such highly confidential information. You would not reveal, for example, your HIV status to the minister’s office, you know. You’d be hesitant and very cautious to provide such details to a group of officials, basically.”

Advocacy Group Weighing Second Lawsuit

The LGBTI Legal Service, which represented the mother in her case, was evaluating a second lawsuit, it said last week.

Its president, Ren Shike, said the ruling had affected about hundreds of minors and their relatives and it was crucial to promptly enable the provision of explanations so that minors and their parents can comprehend the reasoning behind this decision, which has had such a devastating impact on their medical care”.

Authorities Stance on Prohibition

The government has repeatedly said the ban would remain in place until a review into gender-affirming care had been finished.