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The state government disclosed confidential information about the mother of a trans teenager – information she says potentially exposed her child – to a unknown individual.

Accusations of “Intimidation” and “Privacy Violation”

The disclosure came as the government was charged of “intimidation” and “an invasion of privacy” after requesting confidential health records from parents of transgender children who are contemplating a further legal challenge to its disputed prohibition on hormone blockers.

Latest Government Order on Hormone Treatments

Last month, the state health official, Tim Nicholls, enacted a new order prohibiting the use of puberty blockers for trans individuals, just hours after the high court determined the initial ban was unlawful.

Media has spoken to 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 hormone treatments in the state. Legally, the paper must be provided under the legal statute.

Requested Medical Details

Each were required by the health authorities for particulars of their child’s medical history, including the minor’s identity, their date of birth and any supporting documents which confirms your teen having a clinical diagnosis of gender dysphoria”.

The information 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 client of the youth gender service so that we can verify the information provided with Children’s Health Queensland,” states the email, which was sent recently.

Mothers Label Demand as Breach of Confidentiality

Each parent described the request as an violation of confidentiality.

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

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

Situation of the Mother

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

Earlier, the department sent a reply meant for her to another parent, revealing her name and address – and the detail that she had a trans teen – to a third party. She said a department official later apologised by telephone; the media has seen an email from the agency admitting the error.

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

“My child is very reserved. She is deeply afraid of being outed in any social setting. She dislikes anyone to know that she’s trans,” Louise said.

“I honor that to my core as much as possible. The only time I ever share is out of necessity for obtaining entry to services and exclusively to people I consider incredibly safe and I trust completely.”

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

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

Additional Parent Expresses Worries

Another mother said she was not comfortable disclosing the health background of her seven-year-old non-binary child.

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

“To imagine that that information could accidentally be leaked someday, in any manner, you know, even if that was unintentional, could be deeply, deeply distressing to him.”

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

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

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

Advocacy Group Weighing Further Action

The LGBTI Legal Service, which represented the parent in her case, was evaluating a second lawsuit, it said recently.

The head, Ren Shike, said the decision had impacted about hundreds of minors and their families and it was “important to efficiently facilitate the supply of explanations so that minors and their parents can understand the reasoning behind this decision, which has had such a severe effect on their medical care”.

Authorities Position on Ban

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