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

Accusations of “Intimidation” and “Privacy Violation”

The disclosure came as the state government was accused of “intimidation” and “an invasion of privacy” after requesting private medical information from guardians of trans youth who are considering a further court case to its controversial prohibition on puberty blockers.

Recent Official Order on Puberty Blockers

Last month, the Queensland health minister, Tim Nicholls, issued a new order prohibiting the prescription of puberty blockers for trans individuals, just hours after the state’s supreme court determined the government’s first attempt was illegal.

Media has spoken to four mothers who have approached Nicholls for a official paper called a explanation of decision – a formal explanation of why the government decided to prohibit puberty blockers in the state. By law, the document must be provided under the legal statute.

Demanded Health Information

All four were asked by the health authorities for particulars of their child’s medical history, including the minor’s identity, their date of birth and any other evidence which confirms your teen having a clinical diagnosis of gender dysphoria”.

The details were sought before the explanation would be provided.

The email, which has been reviewed by the Guardian, also asked them to verify if your teen is a patient of the Queensland Children’s Gender Clinic so that we can verify the data provided with the health service,” reads the email, which was sent last Friday.

Parents Label Demand as Breach of Confidentiality

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

One parent said she was hesitant to divulge the details because the state government had mistakenly forwarded her data to a different parent.

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

Case of Louise*

The parent, who must remain anonymous because it would also reveal or “out” her teen, was among those who asked for a explanation both times.

In May, the agency emailed a reply meant for her to another parent, revealing her name and location – and the detail that she had a transgender child – to a third party. She said a department official later said sorry over the phone; the Guardian has obtained an email from the department admitting the error.

She said she felt “sick and unsafe” as a consequence of the error.

“My child is incredibly private. She is deeply afraid of being exposed in any public space. She dislikes anyone to know that she’s trans,” Louise said.

“I respect that to my core as much as humanly possible. The only time I ever share is out of necessity for obtaining entry to services and only to people I consider incredibly safe and I know well.”

The parent was especially worried about the suggestion it would be “confirmed” by the hospital.

She said the request was “intimidating” 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 information, it’s a child’s information,” she said.

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

She responded saying the agency 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 medical condition to the minister’s office, you know. You’d be hesitant and very cautious to submit such details to a group of officials, essentially.”

Advocacy Group Considering Further Action

The LGBTI Legal Service, which represented the parent in her challenge, was evaluating a new legal action, it said recently.

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

Government Position on Ban

The authorities has consistently said the ban would remain in place until a examination into gender-affirming care had been completed.