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The Queensland 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 “Invasion of Privacy”

The revelation emerged as the state government was charged of “coercion” and “a breach of confidentiality” after requesting private medical information from parents of trans youth who are contemplating a further court case to its controversial ban on puberty blockers.

Latest Government Order on Puberty Blockers

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

Guardian Australia has interviewed four mothers who have contacted Nicholls for a official paper called a statement of reasons – a detailed account of why the authorities made a decision to ban hormone treatments in the region. Legally, the paper must be provided under the legal statute.

Requested Medical Details

All four were required by the health authorities for details of their teen’s health background, including “your child’s name, their birthdate and any other evidence which supports your child having a medical confirmation of gender identity disorder”.

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

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

Mothers Label Request as Invasion of Privacy

Each parent characterized the request as an invasion of privacy.

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

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

Case of Louise*

The parent, who cannot be legally identified because it would also reveal or “out” her teen, was one of several who requested a statement of reasons both times.

Earlier, the agency sent a reply intended for her to someone else, revealing her name and location – and the fact that she had a transgender child – to a stranger. She said a government employee later apologised by telephone; the Guardian has seen an email from the agency admitting the error.

She said she felt “ill and vulnerable” as a consequence of the error.

“My child is incredibly private. She is deeply afraid of being exposed in any social setting. She dislikes people to be aware that she’s transgender,” Louise said.

“I honor that to my core as much as possible. The sole occasion I ever share is out of need for obtaining entry to supports and only to individuals I consider incredibly safe and I trust completely.”

Louise was especially worried about the implication it would be “confirmed” by the medical facility.

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

Other Parent Voices Worries

Sally* said she was unwilling revealing the medical history of her seven-year-old gender-diverse child.

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

“To think that that data could inadvertently be leaked one day, in any manner, you know, even if that was accidental, could be extremely upsetting to him.”

She wrote back saying the department had requested an “extraordinary amount of information”.

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

“It’s such highly confidential information. You wouldn’t disclose, for example, your medical condition to the government office, you know. You’d be very reluctant and careful to provide such details to a bunch of bureaucrats, basically.”

Advocacy Group Weighing Second Lawsuit

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

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

Government Stance on Prohibition

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