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

Accusations of “Bullying” and “Privacy Violation”

The revelation came as the state government was accused of “intimidation” and “a breach of confidentiality” after demanding private medical information from guardians of trans youth who are contemplating a additional legal challenge to its controversial ban on puberty blockers.

Recent Government Order on Hormone Treatments

Last month, the Queensland health minister, Tim Nicholls, issued a new order prohibiting the prescription 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 legal document called a statement of reasons – a formal explanation of why the government decided to ban puberty blockers in the state. Legally, the document must be supplied under the state’s Judicial Review Act.

Demanded Medical Details

Each were asked by the health authorities for particulars of their teen’s health background, including “your child’s name, their date of birth and any supporting documents which supports your child having a medical confirmation of gender dysphoria”.

The information were sought before the explanation would be provided.

The message, 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 submitted with Children’s Health Queensland,” reads the communication, which was sent recently.

Mothers Describe Demand as Invasion of Privacy

Each parent described the request as an invasion of privacy.

One parent said she was hesitant to divulge the information because the state government had mistakenly forwarded her data to a another individual.

“It seems like having to reveal your teen to actually get a reply; like, it’s frightening,” she said.

Situation of Louise*

Louise*, who cannot be legally identified because it would also identify or expose her child, was among those who requested a statement of reasons on multiple occasions.

In May, the department sent a response intended for her to another parent, disclosing her identity and location – and the fact that she had a transgender child – to a stranger. She said a department official later apologised by telephone; the media has obtained an email from the agency admitting the mistake.

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

“My daughter is incredibly private. She is immensely fearful of being outed in any public space. She doesn’t like anyone to know that she’s trans,” the mother said.

“I honor that to my core as much as humanly possible. The sole occasion I ever, ever disclose is out of need for obtaining entry to services and only to individuals I deem incredibly safe and I trust completely.”

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

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

Additional Parent Expresses Concerns

Sally* said she was unwilling revealing the health background of her seven-year-old gender-diverse child.

“It’s not my data, 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 responded saying the agency had requested an “extraordinary amount of information”.

“I would not share that data to any other organisation that requested it, especially in the context of the current political climate,” she said.

“It’s such highly confidential stuff. You would not reveal, for instance, your medical condition to the government office, you know. You’d be hesitant and careful to provide such details to a group of officials, essentially.”

Legal Service Considering Further Action

The LGBTI Legal Service, which assisted 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 efficiently facilitate the supply of reasons so that minors and their guardians can understand the reasoning behind this decision, which has had such a severe effect on their access to healthcare”.

Authorities Stance on Prohibition

The authorities has consistently said the ban would stay enforced until a examination into gender-affirming care had been completed.