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The state government released confidential information about the parent of a trans teenager – information she claims potentially exposed her child – to a stranger.

Accusations of “Bullying” and “Invasion of Privacy”

The disclosure came as the state government was charged of “coercion” and “a breach of confidentiality” after requesting confidential health records from parents of transgender children who are contemplating a further court case to its disputed 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 transgender patients, shortly after the state’s supreme court determined the government’s first attempt was illegal.

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 made a decision to prohibit puberty blockers in the region. Legally, the document must be supplied under the state’s Judicial Review Act.

Demanded Health Information

Each were asked by the health authorities for details of their child’s medical history, including the minor’s identity, their birthdate and any supporting documents which confirms your teen having a clinical diagnosis of gender identity disorder”.

The information were requested before the explanation would be provided.

The email, which has been reviewed by the media, also asked them to “please also confirm if your teen is a client of the Queensland Children’s Gender Clinic so that we can verify the information submitted with Children’s Health Queensland,” reads the communication, which was dispatched last Friday.

Mothers Label Demand as Breach of Confidentiality

All four mothers described the request as an violation of confidentiality.

A mother said she was reluctant to share the information because the state government had mistakenly forwarded her information to a different parent.

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

Situation of the Mother

Louise*, who must remain anonymous because it would also reveal or expose her child, was among those who asked for a statement of reasons on multiple occasions.

In May, the department emailed a response meant for her to someone else, revealing her name and address – and the detail that she had a transgender child – to a third party. She said a department official later said sorry by telephone; the media has seen an email from the department admitting the mistake.

She said she felt “sick and unsafe” as a result of the blunder.

“My child is incredibly private. She is immensely fearful of being outed in any social setting. She doesn’t like anyone to be aware that she’s trans,” the mother said.

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

Louise was especially worried about the suggestion it would be “verified” by the hospital.

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

Additional Parent Expresses Worries

Another mother said she was unwilling disclosing the medical history of her seven-year-old non-binary child.

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

“To imagine that that data could inadvertently be leaked one day, in any way, you know, although that was unintentional, could be extremely upsetting to him.”

She wrote back saying the agency had requested an “excessive level of detail”.

“I wouldn’t provide that data to any other organisation that requested it, especially in the context 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 hesitant and careful to submit such details to a group of officials, basically.”

Advocacy Group Weighing Further Action

The advocacy organization, which assisted the mother in her case, was evaluating a second lawsuit, it said recently.

The head, Ren Shike, said the ruling had impacted about 500 Queensland children and their relatives and it was crucial to efficiently facilitate the supply of explanations so that minors and their guardians can comprehend the reasoning behind this decision, which has had such a devastating impact on their access to healthcare”.

Authorities Stance on Ban

The authorities has consistently said the ban would remain in place until a review into gender-affirming care had been finished.