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The Queensland government disclosed confidential information about the mother of a transgender teenager – data she says potentially exposed her child – to a stranger.

Allegations of “Intimidation” and “Invasion of Privacy”

The disclosure emerged as the state government was accused of “coercion” and “a breach of confidentiality” after requesting private health records from parents of trans youth who are contemplating a additional legal challenge to its controversial ban on puberty blockers.

Latest Official Directive on Puberty Blockers

Last month, the state health official, Tim Nicholls, issued a fresh directive prohibiting the prescription of puberty blockers for trans individuals, shortly after the high court ruled the government’s first attempt was unlawful.

Media has spoken to four mothers who have contacted 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. By law, the document must be supplied under the state’s Judicial Review Act.

Requested Medical Details

All four were asked by the health authorities for details of their teen’s health background, including the minor’s identity, their birthdate and any supporting documents 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 instructed them to verify if your teen is a patient of the Queensland Children’s Gender Clinic so that we can verify the data submitted with the health service,” states the communication, which was dispatched recently.

Parents Describe Demand as Breach of Confidentiality

Each parent described the demand as an violation of confidentiality.

A mother said she was reluctant to divulge the information because the state government had mistakenly sent her data to a different parent.

“It feels like having to reveal your teen to actually get a response; like, it’s terrifying,” she said.

Situation of the Mother

Louise*, who cannot be legally identified because it would also identify or expose her teen, was among those who requested a explanation on multiple occasions.

In May, the agency sent a reply intended for her to someone else, disclosing her identity and address – and the fact that she had a trans teen – to a stranger. She said a department official later apologised by telephone; the Guardian has seen an email from the agency confirming the error.

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

“My daughter is incredibly private. She is immensely fearful of being exposed in any social setting. She dislikes anyone to be aware that she’s trans,” the mother said.

“I honor that to my very being as much as possible. The only time I ever disclose is out of necessity for gaining access to supports and only to people I consider incredibly safe and I know well.”

The parent was particularly concerned about the implication it would be “verified” by the hospital.

She said the demand was “intimidating” and “seems coercive”.

Other Mother Expresses Worries

Another mother said she was unwilling revealing the medical history of her young non-binary child.

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

“To imagine that that information could accidentally be disclosed 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 “excessive level of detail”.

“I wouldn’t provide that data to any other organisation that asked for it, especially in the context of the current political climate,” she said.

“It’s such intensely private stuff. You would not reveal, for example, your HIV status to the government office, you know. You’d be very reluctant and very cautious to provide such details to a group of officials, essentially.”

Advocacy Group Considering Second Lawsuit

The advocacy organization, which assisted the parent in her challenge, was considering a new legal action, it said last week.

Its president, Ren Shike, said the decision had affected about 500 Queensland children and their relatives and it was crucial to efficiently facilitate the provision of explanations so that children and their guardians can understand the logic behind this ruling, which has had such a devastating impact on their access to healthcare”.

Government Position on Ban

The government has repeatedly said the prohibition would remain in place until a review into gender-affirming care had been completed.