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The state government disclosed private information about the parent of a transgender teenager – data she claims potentially “outed” her teen – to a unknown individual.

Allegations of “Intimidation” and “Privacy Violation”

The revelation emerged as the government was charged of “coercion” and “an invasion of privacy” after requesting confidential health records from parents of transgender children who are considering a further court case to its disputed prohibition on puberty blockers.

Recent Government Directive on Hormone Treatments

Last month, the Queensland health official, Tim Nicholls, issued a fresh directive prohibiting the use of hormone blockers for transgender patients, just hours after the high court determined the initial ban was illegal.

Guardian Australia 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 ban hormone treatments in the region. Legally, the paper must be supplied under the legal statute.

Demanded Health Information

Each were required by the Queensland health department for details of their child’s medical history, including the minor’s identity, their birthdate and any other evidence which confirms your child having a clinical diagnosis of gender identity disorder”.

The information were sought before the explanation would be provided.

The message, 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 the health service,” reads the email, which was dispatched recently.

Parents Label Request as Invasion of Privacy

All four mothers described the demand as an invasion of privacy.

One parent said she was reluctant to share the details because the state government had mistakenly forwarded her information to a another individual.

“It seems like having to ‘out’ your child 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 identify or “out” her child, was one of several who asked for a explanation both times.

Earlier, the department emailed a response intended for her to another parent, revealing her name and address – and the detail that she had a transgender child – to a stranger. She said a government employee later said sorry over the phone; 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 child is incredibly private. She is immensely fearful of being exposed in any social setting. She dislikes anyone to be aware that she’s transgender,” the mother said.

“I honor that to my core as much as possible. The sole occasion I ever, ever share is out of necessity for gaining access to services and only to people I deem trustworthy and I know well.”

The parent was especially worried about the implication it would be “confirmed” by the hospital.

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

Additional Parent Voices Concerns

Sally* said she was unwilling disclosing the medical history of her young gender-diverse child.

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

“To think that that information could inadvertently be leaked one day, in any way, you know, although that was accidental, could be extremely upsetting to them.”

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

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

“It’s such intensely private information. You wouldn’t disclose, for example, your HIV status to the government office, you know. You’d be hesitant and very cautious to provide such details to a group of officials, essentially.”

Legal Service Considering Further Action

The advocacy organization, which assisted the parent in her challenge, was evaluating a second lawsuit, it said last week.

Its president, Ren Shike, said the decision had affected about hundreds of minors and their relatives and it was “important to promptly enable the provision of explanations so that minors and their guardians can comprehend the logic behind this decision, which has had such a devastating impact on their access to healthcare”.

Authorities Stance on Ban

The government has repeatedly said the ban would stay enforced until a examination into gender-affirming care had been finished.