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The state government released confidential information about the parent of a transgender teenager – information she says potentially exposed her teen – to a unknown individual.

Allegations of “Bullying” and “Privacy Violation”

The revelation emerged as the government was charged of “intimidation” and “an invasion of privacy” after demanding confidential health records from parents of trans youth who are considering a additional legal challenge to its disputed prohibition on hormone blockers.

Latest Government Order on Puberty Blockers

Last month, the state health minister, Tim Nicholls, enacted a fresh directive prohibiting the prescription of hormone blockers for trans individuals, shortly after the high court determined the government’s first attempt was illegal.

Media has interviewed four mothers who have contacted Nicholls for a official paper called a explanation of decision – a formal explanation of why the authorities decided to prohibit hormone treatments in the region. Legally, the paper must be supplied under the state’s Judicial Review Act.

Requested Health Information

All four 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 supports your child having a medical confirmation of gender dysphoria”.

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

The email, which has been seen by the Guardian, also asked them to verify if your child is a client of the Queensland Children’s Gender Clinic so that we can confirm the data provided with Children’s Health Queensland,” reads the communication, which was sent recently.

Parents Label Request as Breach of Confidentiality

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

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

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

Situation of the Mother

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

Earlier, the agency emailed a reply meant for her to someone else, revealing her identity and location – and the detail that she had a transgender child – to a third party. She said a government employee later apologised by telephone; the Guardian has obtained an email from the agency admitting the mistake.

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

“My child is incredibly private. She is deeply afraid of being outed in any public space. She dislikes people to be aware that she’s transgender,” the mother said.

“I respect that to my very being as much as possible. The sole occasion I ever disclose is out of necessity for gaining access to supports and exclusively to people I consider trustworthy and I trust completely.”

The parent was particularly concerned about the implication it would be “verified” by the medical facility.

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

Other Mother Voices Concerns

Another mother said she was not comfortable disclosing the medical history of her seven-year-old non-binary 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 manner, you know, although that was unintentional, could be extremely upsetting to him.”

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

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

“It’s such intensely private information. You wouldn’t disclose, for instance, your medical condition to the government office, you know. You’d be hesitant and careful to provide any of that information to a group of officials, basically.”

Advocacy Group Weighing Further Action

The LGBTI Legal Service, which assisted the parent in her challenge, was considering a new legal action, it said last week.

The head, Ren Shike, said the ruling had affected about 500 Queensland children and their relatives and it was “important to promptly enable the provision of reasons so that children and their guardians can understand the logic behind this ruling, which has had such a devastating impact on their access to healthcare”.

Authorities Position on Ban

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