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The state government released confidential details about the mother of a transgender teenager – information she says potentially exposed her teen – to a stranger.

Allegations of “Intimidation” and “Privacy Violation”

The disclosure came as the state government was charged of “coercion” and “a breach of confidentiality” after demanding private health records from guardians of trans youth who are considering a additional legal challenge to its disputed prohibition on puberty blockers.

Recent Official Directive on Puberty Blockers

Last month, the Queensland health minister, Tim Nicholls, enacted a new order banning the use of hormone blockers for trans individuals, shortly after the high court ruled the initial ban was unlawful.

Guardian Australia has interviewed four mothers who have contacted Nicholls for a official paper called a statement of reasons – a formal explanation of why the authorities made a decision to ban puberty blockers in the state. Legally, the document must be supplied under the legal statute.

Demanded Medical Details

Each 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 teen having a clinical diagnosis of gender identity disorder”.

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

The email, which has been seen by the media, also asked them to “please also confirm if your child is a client of the youth gender service so that we can verify the data submitted with Children’s Health Queensland,” reads the communication, which was dispatched recently.

Mothers Describe Request as Invasion of Privacy

Each parent described the demand as an violation of confidentiality.

A mother said she was reluctant to share the details because the authorities had accidentally sent her information to a different parent.

“It seems like having to ‘out’ your child to actually get a reply; like, it’s terrifying,” she said.

Situation of the Mother

Louise*, who must remain anonymous because it would also identify or “out” her child, was one of several who asked for a explanation on multiple occasions.

Earlier, the department emailed a response intended for her to someone else, revealing her identity and address – and the detail that she had a transgender child – to a third party. She said a department official later apologised over the phone; the media has obtained an message from the department admitting the error.

She said she felt “ill and vulnerable” as a result of the error.

“My daughter is very reserved. She is immensely fearful of being exposed in any public space. She dislikes anyone to know that she’s trans,” Louise said.

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

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

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

Other Parent Expresses Concerns

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 child’s information,” she said.

“To imagine that that data could accidentally be leaked someday, in any way, you know, although that was accidental, could be deeply, deeply distressing to them.”

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

“I wouldn’t provide that information to another entity that asked for it, especially in the context of the current political climate,” she said.

“It’s such highly confidential information. You would not reveal, for example, your HIV status to the government office, you know. You’d be hesitant and very cautious to submit any of that information to a group of officials, basically.”

Advocacy Group Considering Further Action

The LGBTI Legal Service, which assisted the mother in her case, was evaluating a second lawsuit, it said recently.

Its president, Ren Shike, said the decision had affected about 500 Queensland children and their relatives and it was crucial to promptly enable the supply of reasons so that minors and their guardians can comprehend the reasoning behind this decision, which has had such a devastating impact on their medical care”.

Government Stance on Ban

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