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The state government released private details about the parent of a transgender teenager – data she claims potentially exposed her child – to a stranger.

Allegations of “Bullying” and “Invasion of Privacy”

The disclosure came as the state government was charged of “intimidation” and “an invasion of privacy” after demanding confidential health records from parents of transgender children who are contemplating a additional court case to its controversial prohibition on puberty blockers.

Latest Government Order on Hormone Treatments

Last month, the state health official, Tim Nicholls, issued a fresh directive banning the use of hormone blockers for trans individuals, shortly after the high court ruled the government’s first attempt was illegal.

Media has interviewed several parents who have approached Nicholls for a official paper called a explanation of decision – a formal explanation of why the government made a decision to ban puberty blockers in the state. Legally, the document must be supplied under the legal statute.

Requested Health Information

Each were asked by the health authorities for details of their child’s medical history, including “your child’s name, their birthdate and any supporting documents which confirms your teen having a medical confirmation of gender dysphoria”.

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

The email, which has been reviewed by the media, also asked them to verify if your teen is a patient of the youth gender service so that we can confirm the information provided with the health service,” reads the email, which was dispatched last Friday.

Mothers Describe Demand as Invasion of Privacy

Each parent characterized the request as an invasion of privacy.

One parent said she was hesitant to divulge the information because the authorities had accidentally forwarded her information to a another individual.

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

Situation of the Mother

The parent, who cannot be legally identified because it would also reveal or expose her teen, was among those who requested a statement of reasons both times.

In May, the agency emailed a response intended for her to someone else, revealing her identity and location – and the detail that she had a transgender child – to a stranger. She said a department official later apologised by telephone; the media has seen an message from the agency admitting the mistake.

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

“My child is incredibly private. She is immensely fearful of being exposed in any public space. She dislikes anyone to know that she’s trans,” Louise said.

“I respect that to my core as much as humanly possible. The sole occasion I ever share is out of need for gaining access to services and exclusively to individuals I consider incredibly safe and I know well.”

Louise was particularly concerned about the suggestion it would be “confirmed” by the hospital.

She said the request was “threatening” and “seems coercive”.

Additional Parent Voices Worries

Another mother said she was unwilling disclosing the health background of her young gender-diverse child.

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

“To imagine that that information could accidentally be leaked one day, in any manner, you know, although that was unintentional, could be deeply, deeply distressing to them.”

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

“I wouldn’t provide that information to any other organisation that requested it, particularly in the climate of the present environment,” she said.

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

Advocacy Group Considering Further Action

The advocacy organization, which represented the mother in her case, was considering a new legal action, 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 explanations so that children and their guardians can comprehend the reasoning behind this decision, which has had such a severe effect on their access to healthcare”.

Government Stance on Ban

The authorities has consistently said the ban would stay enforced until a review into trans healthcare had been completed.