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The state government released confidential information about the parent of a transgender teenager – data she claims potentially exposed her teen – to a unknown individual.

Accusations of “Intimidation” and “Invasion of Privacy”

The revelation emerged as the state government was charged of “coercion” and “a breach of confidentiality” after requesting confidential health records from parents of transgender children who are considering a further legal challenge to its controversial prohibition on hormone blockers.

Recent Official Order on Hormone Treatments

Last month, the Queensland health official, Tim Nicholls, issued a new order prohibiting the use of hormone blockers for trans individuals, just hours after the state’s supreme court ruled the initial ban was illegal.

Media has interviewed four mothers who have approached Nicholls for a official paper called a explanation of decision – a detailed account of why the government decided to prohibit puberty blockers in the state. Legally, the document must be provided under the state’s Judicial Review Act.

Requested Health Information

All four were asked by the Queensland health department for particulars of their child’s medical history, including “your child’s name, their date of birth and any other evidence which confirms your teen having a medical confirmation of gender identity disorder”.

The details were requested before the explanation would be provided.

The message, which has been reviewed by the media, also asked them to verify if your child is a client of the Queensland Children’s Gender Clinic so that we can confirm the data provided with Children’s Health Queensland,” states the email, which was sent last Friday.

Parents Describe Request as Invasion of Privacy

Each parent described the request as an invasion of privacy.

One parent said she was reluctant to divulge the information because the authorities had accidentally sent her data to a another individual.

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

Situation of the Mother

Louise*, who must remain anonymous because it would also identify or “out” her teen, was among those who requested a explanation on multiple occasions.

Earlier, the agency sent a reply intended for her to someone else, disclosing her name and location – and the fact that she had a transgender child – to a stranger. She said a government employee later said sorry over the phone; the media has obtained an email from the department admitting the mistake.

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

“My child is very reserved. She is immensely fearful of being outed in any public space. She dislikes people to know that she’s trans,” Louise said.

“I honor that to my very being as much as humanly possible. The sole occasion I ever disclose is out of need for obtaining entry to supports and exclusively to individuals I deem trustworthy and I know well.”

Louise was particularly concerned about the implication it would be “confirmed” by the medical facility.

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

Additional Mother Expresses Concerns

Sally* said she was unwilling disclosing the health background of her young gender-diverse child.

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

“To imagine that that data could accidentally be leaked someday, in any manner, you know, although that was accidental, could be extremely upsetting to him.”

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

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

“It’s such intensely private information. You would not reveal, for example, your HIV status to the government office, you know. You’d be hesitant and very cautious to submit such details to a bunch of bureaucrats, basically.”

Advocacy Group Considering Further Action

The advocacy organization, which represented the mother in her challenge, was evaluating a new legal action, it said last week.

Its president, Ren Shike, said the ruling had affected about 500 Queensland children and their relatives and it was “important to efficiently facilitate the supply of reasons so that minors and their parents can understand the logic behind this ruling, which has had such a severe effect on their access to healthcare”.

Government Stance on Prohibition

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