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

Accusations of “Intimidation” 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 court case to its controversial prohibition on puberty blockers.

Latest Official Order on Puberty Blockers

Recently, the Queensland health official, Tim Nicholls, issued a fresh directive banning the use of puberty blockers for transgender patients, shortly after the high court ruled the government’s first attempt was illegal.

Media has spoken to several parents who have approached Nicholls for a official paper called a statement of reasons – a detailed account of why the government made a decision to prohibit puberty blockers in the region. By law, the document must be supplied under the legal statute.

Demanded Medical Details

Each were asked by the health authorities for details of their teen’s health background, including the minor’s identity, their birthdate and any supporting documents which confirms your teen having a medical confirmation of gender dysphoria”.

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

The email, which has been seen by the media, also instructed them to verify if your child is a client of the youth gender service so that we can confirm the information provided with the health service,” states the communication, which was dispatched last Friday.

Parents Describe Request as Breach of Confidentiality

Each parent described the request as an invasion of privacy.

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

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

Situation of Louise*

Louise*, who must remain anonymous because it would also identify or expose her child, was among those who requested a explanation on multiple occasions.

In May, the department emailed a reply intended for her to someone else, revealing her identity and address – and the fact that she had a transgender child – to a stranger. She said a department official later apologised over the phone; the media has obtained an message 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 immensely fearful of being exposed in any public space. She dislikes people to know that she’s trans,” Louise said.

“I respect that to my very being as much as possible. The sole occasion I ever disclose is out of need for gaining access to supports and only to individuals I consider trustworthy and I know well.”

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

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

Other Mother Voices Concerns

Sally* said she was unwilling disclosing the medical history of her young gender-diverse child.

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

“To imagine that that data could inadvertently be disclosed 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 data to any other organisation that requested it, especially in the context of the current political climate,” she said.

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

Advocacy Group Considering Further Action

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

The head, Ren Shike, said the ruling had affected about hundreds of minors and their relatives and it was “important to efficiently facilitate the provision of explanations so that children and their parents can understand the reasoning behind this ruling, which has had such a devastating impact on their access to healthcare”.

Government Stance on Prohibition

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