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The state government disclosed private information about the mother of a trans teenager – data she claims potentially “outed” her teen – to a stranger.

Allegations of “Bullying” and “Privacy Violation”

The disclosure emerged 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 contemplating a further court case to its controversial ban on puberty blockers.

Recent Official Directive on Hormone Treatments

Recently, the state health official, Tim Nicholls, issued a fresh directive banning the use of hormone blockers for transgender patients, just hours after the state’s supreme court ruled the government’s first attempt was illegal.

Guardian Australia has spoken to several parents who have approached Nicholls for a legal document called a statement of reasons – a formal explanation of why the government decided to prohibit hormone treatments in the state. Legally, the paper must be provided under the state’s Judicial Review Act.

Demanded Medical Details

All four were required by the Queensland health department for details of their child’s medical history, including the minor’s identity, their date of birth and any supporting documents which supports your child having a medical confirmation of gender identity disorder”.

The details were requested before the explanation would be released.

The email, which has been reviewed by the media, also asked them to verify if your teen is a patient of the youth gender service so that we can confirm the information submitted with the health service,” reads the email, which was sent last Friday.

Parents Describe Demand as Breach of Confidentiality

Each parent characterized the demand as an violation of confidentiality.

A mother said she was hesitant to divulge the details because the authorities had mistakenly forwarded her data to a another individual.

“It seems like having to ‘out’ your child to obtain a reply; like, it’s frightening,” she said.

Case of Louise*

Louise*, who must remain anonymous because it would also reveal or expose her child, was one of several who asked for a statement of reasons on multiple occasions.

In May, the department emailed a reply intended for her to another parent, disclosing her identity and location – and the detail that she had a transgender child – to a stranger. She said a government employee later said sorry by telephone; the media has seen an message from the department confirming the error.

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

“My daughter is very reserved. She is deeply afraid of being exposed in any public space. She doesn’t like people to know that she’s transgender,” Louise said.

“I respect that to my very being as much as humanly possible. The only time I ever, ever share is out of need for obtaining entry to supports 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 request was “intimidating” and “feels threatening”.

Additional Mother Voices 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 seven-year-old’s information,” she said.

“To think that that data could inadvertently be disclosed someday, in any way, you know, even if that was unintentional, could be extremely upsetting to him.”

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

“I wouldn’t provide that data to another entity that requested it, particularly in the climate of the current political climate,” she said.

“It’s such intensely private stuff. You would not reveal, for example, your medical condition to the minister’s office, you know. You’d be very reluctant and very cautious to provide any of that information to a bunch of bureaucrats, basically.”

Legal Service Considering Further Action

The LGBTI Legal Service, which assisted the mother in her case, was evaluating a new legal action, it said last week.

Its president, Ren Shike, said the ruling had affected about hundreds of minors and their relatives and it was “important to promptly enable the supply of explanations so that children and their parents can understand the logic behind this ruling, which has had such a devastating impact on their access to healthcare”.

Government Position on Ban

The authorities has consistently said the prohibition would stay enforced until a examination into trans healthcare had been completed.