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The state government released confidential details about the mother of a transgender teenager – information she says potentially “outed” her teen – to a unknown individual.

Allegations of “Bullying” and “Invasion of Privacy”

The disclosure came as the state government was charged of “intimidation” and “an invasion of privacy” after demanding confidential health records from guardians of transgender children who are contemplating a additional legal challenge to its disputed prohibition on puberty blockers.

Latest Official Directive on Puberty Blockers

Recently, the state health official, Tim Nicholls, issued a new order banning the use of puberty blockers for transgender patients, just hours after the high court ruled the government’s first attempt was illegal.

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

Requested Medical Details

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

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

The email, which has been seen by the media, also instructed them to “please also confirm if your teen is a patient of the Queensland Children’s Gender Clinic so that we can verify the data provided with the health service,” states the email, which was sent recently.

Mothers Describe Request as Breach of Confidentiality

Each parent characterized the demand as an invasion of privacy.

A mother said she was hesitant to share the information because the state government had accidentally forwarded her data to a another individual.

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

Case of the Mother

Louise*, who must remain anonymous because it would also identify or “out” her child, was among those who requested a statement of reasons both times.

In May, the agency emailed a response meant for her to someone else, revealing her identity and location – and the fact that she had a trans teen – to a third party. She said a government employee later said sorry by telephone; the Guardian has obtained an email from the department confirming the mistake.

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

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

“I respect that to my core as much as humanly possible. The only time I ever, ever share is out of necessity for gaining access to services and exclusively to individuals I deem 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 “feels threatening”.

Other Mother Voices Concerns

Sally* 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 information,” she said.

“To imagine that that data could accidentally be disclosed someday, in any manner, you know, although that was unintentional, could be deeply, deeply distressing to him.”

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

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

“It’s such highly confidential stuff. You would not reveal, for example, your medical condition to the minister’s office, you know. You’d be hesitant and very cautious to submit such details to a group of officials, basically.”

Advocacy Group Weighing Second Lawsuit

The advocacy organization, which represented the parent in her challenge, was evaluating a new legal action, it said last week.

Its president, Ren Shike, said the ruling had impacted 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 understand the reasoning behind this decision, which has had such a devastating impact on their medical care”.

Authorities Stance on Ban

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