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The Queensland government disclosed private details about the mother of a transgender teenager – data she says potentially exposed her teen – to a stranger.

Accusations of “Bullying” and “Privacy Violation”

The disclosure emerged as the government was charged of “intimidation” and “a breach of confidentiality” after requesting private medical information from guardians of transgender children who are contemplating a further court case to its disputed ban on hormone blockers.

Recent Government Order on Puberty Blockers

Last month, the Queensland health official, Tim Nicholls, enacted a fresh directive banning the use of hormone blockers for transgender patients, shortly after the high court determined the government’s first attempt was illegal.

Media has interviewed several parents who have approached Nicholls for a legal document called a explanation of decision – a formal explanation of why the government decided to ban hormone treatments in the region. Legally, the paper must be provided under the state’s Judicial Review Act.

Requested Health Information

All four were asked by the health authorities for particulars of their child’s medical history, including “your child’s name, their date of birth and any other evidence which confirms your child having a clinical diagnosis of gender dysphoria”.

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

The email, which has been seen by the media, also instructed them to verify if your teen is a client of the youth gender service so that we can confirm the information provided with Children’s Health Queensland,” states the communication, which was dispatched recently.

Parents Label Request as Invasion of Privacy

Each parent described the request as an violation of confidentiality.

One parent said she was hesitant to share the details because the state government had mistakenly forwarded her information to a different parent.

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

Case of the Mother

The parent, who must remain anonymous because it would also reveal or “out” her teen, was one of several who asked for a statement of reasons both times.

In May, the department sent a reply meant for her to someone else, disclosing her identity and location – and the fact that she had a trans teen – to a stranger. She said a department official later apologised over the phone; the media has seen an message from the agency admitting the mistake.

She said she felt “sick and unsafe” as a consequence of the error.

“My daughter is very reserved. She is deeply afraid of being exposed in any public space. She doesn’t like anyone to know that she’s transgender,” Louise said.

“I honor that to my core as much as possible. The sole occasion I ever disclose is out of need for obtaining entry to services and only to individuals I consider trustworthy and I know well.”

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

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

Additional Parent Voices Worries

Another mother said she was not comfortable revealing the health background of her seven-year-old gender-diverse child.

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

“To think that that data could inadvertently be leaked someday, in any manner, you know, even if that was accidental, could be extremely upsetting to him.”

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

“I would not share that data to any other organisation that requested it, particularly in the climate of the present environment,” she said.

“It’s such highly confidential information. You wouldn’t disclose, 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 Considering Further Action

The advocacy organization, which represented the mother in her case, was considering a new legal action, it said recently.

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

Government Position on Prohibition

The government has repeatedly said the prohibition would stay enforced until a review into trans healthcare had been completed.