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The Queensland government released confidential details about the mother of a trans teenager – information she claims potentially exposed her teen – to a stranger.

Allegations of “Bullying” and “Invasion of Privacy”

The disclosure emerged as the government was charged of “coercion” and “an invasion of privacy” after requesting private medical information from parents of trans youth who are contemplating a further court case to its controversial prohibition on puberty blockers.

Recent Government Directive on Hormone Treatments

Recently, the Queensland health official, Tim Nicholls, enacted a fresh directive prohibiting the prescription of puberty blockers for trans individuals, just hours after the high court determined the initial ban was unlawful.

Guardian Australia has interviewed several parents who have approached Nicholls for a official paper called a explanation of decision – a detailed account of why the government made a decision to prohibit hormone treatments in the state. Legally, the paper must be supplied under the state’s Judicial Review Act.

Requested Medical Details

All four were required by the Queensland health department for particulars of their teen’s health background, including “your child’s name, their date of birth and any other evidence which supports your child having a clinical diagnosis of gender dysphoria”.

The information were requested before the explanation would be released.

The message, which has been seen by the media, also instructed them to “please also confirm if your teen is a patient of the youth gender service so that we can verify the data provided with the health service,” states the email, which was sent last Friday.

Mothers Label Demand as Invasion of Privacy

Each parent characterized the demand as an invasion of privacy.

A mother said she was reluctant to divulge the information because the authorities had accidentally forwarded her data to a different parent.

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

Situation of Louise*

The parent, who cannot be legally identified because it would also reveal or expose her child, was one of several who requested a explanation both times.

Earlier, the agency sent a response meant for her to someone else, disclosing her identity and address – and the detail 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 department confirming the mistake.

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 public space. She doesn’t like anyone to be aware that she’s transgender,” Louise said.

“I honor that to my core as much as humanly possible. The sole occasion I ever share is out of need for obtaining entry to supports and exclusively to individuals I consider trustworthy and I trust completely.”

Louise was particularly concerned about the suggestion it would be “verified” by the hospital.

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

Additional Parent Voices Concerns

Another mother said she was not comfortable revealing the medical history of her young non-binary child.

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

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

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

“I wouldn’t provide that information to another entity that requested it, particularly in the context of the present environment,” she said.

“It’s such intensely private information. You wouldn’t disclose, for example, your medical condition to the minister’s office, you know. You’d be very reluctant and careful to submit such details to a group of officials, basically.”

Legal Service Considering Second Lawsuit

The LGBTI Legal Service, which represented the parent in her case, was considering a new legal action, it said recently.

Its president, Ren Shike, said the ruling had affected about 500 Queensland children and their families and it was crucial to efficiently facilitate the provision of reasons so that children and their parents can understand the reasoning behind this decision, which has had such a devastating impact on their access to healthcare”.

Government Stance on Prohibition

The authorities has consistently said the prohibition would remain in place until a examination into trans healthcare had been completed.