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The Queensland government released confidential details about the mother of a transgender teenager – information she says potentially exposed her teen – to a unknown individual.

Allegations of “Intimidation” and “Privacy Violation”

The disclosure came as the government was charged of “coercion” and “a breach of confidentiality” after requesting confidential medical information from guardians of transgender children who are considering a additional legal challenge to its controversial ban on puberty blockers.

Latest Government Directive on Puberty Blockers

Recently, the Queensland health minister, Tim Nicholls, enacted a new order banning the prescription of puberty blockers for trans individuals, shortly after the high court determined the initial ban was illegal.

Media has spoken to four mothers who have contacted Nicholls for a legal document called a statement of reasons – a detailed account of why the government decided to ban puberty blockers in the region. By law, the document must be supplied under the state’s Judicial Review Act.

Requested Health Information

Each were asked by the Queensland health department for particulars of their teen’s health background, including the minor’s identity, their birthdate and any other evidence which confirms your teen having a clinical diagnosis of gender identity disorder”.

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

The message, which has been reviewed by the media, also asked them to verify if your child is a patient of the Queensland Children’s Gender Clinic so that we can confirm the information submitted with the health service,” reads the email, which was dispatched last Friday.

Mothers Label Request as Breach of Confidentiality

Each parent characterized the demand as an invasion of privacy.

A mother said she was reluctant to share the information because the state government had mistakenly sent her data to a another individual.

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

Case of Louise*

Louise*, who cannot be legally identified because it would also reveal or expose her child, was one of several who asked for a explanation both times.

In May, the department emailed a response intended for her to another parent, revealing her identity and address – and the detail that she had a trans teen – to a stranger. She said a department official later said sorry by telephone; the media has obtained an email from the agency confirming the error.

She said she felt “ill and vulnerable” as a result of the blunder.

“My child is incredibly private. She is deeply afraid of being exposed in any public space. She doesn’t like people to know that she’s trans,” the mother said.

“I respect that to my core as much as possible. The sole occasion I ever, ever disclose is out of necessity for obtaining entry to supports and exclusively to people I deem incredibly safe and I trust completely.”

Louise was particularly concerned about the suggestion it would be “verified” by the medical facility.

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

Additional Mother Voices Worries

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

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

“To think that that information could accidentally be leaked someday, in any manner, you know, although that was accidental, could be extremely upsetting to them.”

She responded saying the agency had asked for an “excessive level of detail”.

“I would not share that data to another entity that requested it, especially in the context of the present environment,” she said.

“It’s such highly confidential stuff. You would not reveal, for example, your HIV status to the government office, you know. You’d be very reluctant and careful to submit such details to a group of officials, basically.”

Advocacy Group Weighing Further Action

The advocacy organization, which represented the mother in her challenge, was considering 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 supply of explanations so that children and their guardians can comprehend the logic behind this ruling, which has had such a devastating impact on their medical care”.

Authorities Stance on Prohibition

The authorities has repeatedly said the prohibition would stay enforced until a review into gender-affirming care had been completed.