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The state government released private details about the mother of a trans teenager – data she claims potentially exposed her teen – to a stranger.

Allegations of “Intimidation” and “Privacy Violation”

The revelation came as the government was charged of “coercion” and “an invasion of privacy” after requesting confidential health records from parents of transgender children who are contemplating a additional legal challenge to its disputed ban on puberty blockers.

Recent Official Order on Puberty Blockers

Recently, the state health minister, Tim Nicholls, issued a new order prohibiting the use of hormone blockers for transgender patients, shortly after the high court determined the initial ban was unlawful.

Guardian Australia has spoken to several parents who have contacted Nicholls for a legal document called a statement of reasons – a detailed account of why the government decided to prohibit hormone treatments in the state. By law, the paper must be provided under the legal statute.

Demanded Health Information

All four were asked by the health authorities for particulars of their teen’s health background, including “your child’s name, their date of birth and any supporting documents which confirms your teen having a clinical diagnosis of gender identity disorder”.

The information were sought before the explanation would be released.

The message, which has been seen by the Guardian, also instructed them to verify if your child is a patient of the youth gender service so that we can confirm the information provided with the health service,” reads the communication, which was dispatched recently.

Mothers Describe Request as Invasion of Privacy

Each parent characterized the request as an invasion of privacy.

A mother said she was reluctant to share the information because the authorities had accidentally sent her information to a another individual.

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

Situation of Louise*

The parent, who cannot be legally identified because it would also reveal or “out” her child, was among those who requested a explanation on multiple occasions.

Earlier, the agency sent a response intended for her to someone else, revealing her identity and location – and the detail that she had a trans teen – to a stranger. She said a government employee later apologised by telephone; the media has obtained an email from the agency confirming the error.

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

“My daughter is very reserved. She is deeply afraid of being exposed in any social setting. She doesn’t like anyone to be aware that she’s transgender,” the mother said.

“I honor that to my core as much as possible. The only time I ever share is out of need for gaining access to supports and exclusively to individuals I consider incredibly safe and I trust completely.”

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

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

Other Parent Expresses Concerns

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

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

“To think that that data could inadvertently be disclosed someday, in any way, you know, even if that was accidental, could be extremely upsetting to him.”

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

“I wouldn’t provide that information to any other organisation that asked for it, especially in the context of the present environment,” she said.

“It’s such highly confidential information. You would not reveal, for example, your medical condition to the minister’s office, you know. You’d be very reluctant and very cautious to submit any of that information to a bunch of bureaucrats, basically.”

Advocacy Group Weighing Further Action

The LGBTI Legal Service, which assisted the mother in her challenge, was evaluating a second lawsuit, it said last week.

The head, Ren Shike, said the decision had affected about 500 Queensland children and their relatives and it was crucial to promptly enable the provision of reasons so that children and their guardians can comprehend the logic behind this decision, which has had such a severe effect on their access to healthcare”.

Authorities Position on Ban

The government has repeatedly said the prohibition would remain in place until a review into trans healthcare had been finished.