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

Accusations of “Bullying” and “Privacy Violation”

The disclosure came as the government was charged of “intimidation” and “an invasion of privacy” after demanding confidential medical information from parents of transgender children who are considering a additional legal challenge to its disputed ban on hormone blockers.

Latest Official Order on Puberty Blockers

Recently, the state health official, Tim Nicholls, issued a new order banning the use of puberty blockers for trans individuals, shortly after the high court ruled the government’s first attempt was illegal.

Media has spoken to several parents who have approached Nicholls for a official paper called a statement of reasons – a formal explanation of why the government made a decision to ban puberty blockers in the state. By law, the paper must be provided under the legal statute.

Demanded Medical Details

All four were required by the Queensland health department for particulars of their child’s medical history, including “your child’s name, their birthdate and any supporting documents which supports your teen having a medical confirmation of gender dysphoria”.

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

The message, which has been seen by the Guardian, also instructed them to “please also confirm if your teen is a patient of the Queensland Children’s Gender Clinic so that we can verify the information provided with Children’s Health Queensland,” reads the communication, which was dispatched last Friday.

Parents Describe Request as Invasion of Privacy

Each parent characterized the demand as an violation of confidentiality.

A mother said she was reluctant to share the details because the authorities had mistakenly forwarded her information to a different parent.

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

Case of Louise*

Louise*, who cannot be legally identified because it would also reveal or “out” her child, was one of several who asked for a statement of reasons both times.

Earlier, the agency emailed a response meant for her to another parent, disclosing her name and address – and the detail that she had a transgender child – to a third party. She said a government employee later apologised over the phone; the media has seen an message from the agency confirming the mistake.

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

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

“I respect 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 individuals I deem trustworthy and I trust completely.”

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

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

Additional Parent Voices Concerns

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

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

“To imagine that that data could inadvertently be leaked one day, in any way, you know, although that was unintentional, could be deeply, deeply distressing to them.”

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

“I wouldn’t provide that information to another entity that asked for it, especially in the context of the current political climate,” she said.

“It’s such intensely private stuff. You wouldn’t disclose, for example, your HIV status to the minister’s office, you know. You’d be hesitant and careful to submit such details to a group of officials, essentially.”

Legal Service Considering Second Lawsuit

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

The head, Ren Shike, said the ruling had affected about 500 Queensland children and their families and it was crucial to promptly enable the provision of explanations so that children and their guardians can comprehend the reasoning behind this decision, which has had such a devastating impact on their medical care”.

Authorities Position on Ban

The authorities has repeatedly said the ban would remain in place until a examination into trans healthcare had been finished.