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The Queensland government released confidential details about the parent of a transgender teenager – data she says potentially “outed” her teen – to a stranger.

Accusations of “Intimidation” and “Invasion of Privacy”

The disclosure came as the government was accused of “intimidation” and “an invasion of privacy” after demanding private medical information from parents of transgender children who are considering a further court case to its disputed prohibition on hormone blockers.

Latest Government Directive on Puberty Blockers

Last month, the state health minister, Tim Nicholls, enacted a fresh directive banning the use of puberty blockers for trans individuals, just hours after the high court determined the initial ban was unlawful.

Media has spoken to four mothers who have contacted Nicholls for a legal document called a statement of reasons – a detailed account of why the authorities decided to ban hormone treatments in the region. By law, the document must be supplied under the legal statute.

Requested Medical Details

Each were asked by the health authorities for particulars of their child’s medical history, including the minor’s identity, their birthdate and any supporting documents which supports your child having a medical confirmation of gender identity disorder”.

The information were sought before the statement of reasons would be provided.

The message, which has been seen by the Guardian, also asked them to “please also confirm if your child is a patient of the youth gender service so that we can verify the data submitted with the health service,” reads the email, which was dispatched last Friday.

Parents Describe Demand as Invasion of Privacy

Each parent described the demand as an invasion of privacy.

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

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

Situation of Louise*

The parent, who must remain anonymous because it would also reveal or “out” her child, was among those who asked for a statement of reasons both times.

In May, the agency emailed a response intended for her to another parent, 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 Guardian has obtained an email from the agency confirming the error.

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

“My daughter is incredibly private. She is deeply afraid of being outed in any social setting. She dislikes anyone to be aware that she’s trans,” the mother said.

“I respect that to my very being as much as humanly possible. The only time I ever disclose is out of necessity for obtaining entry to supports and only to individuals I deem incredibly safe and I trust completely.”

The parent was especially worried about the suggestion it would be “verified” by the hospital.

She said the request was “threatening” and “feels threatening”.

Other Parent Expresses Worries

Sally* said she was not comfortable revealing the medical history of her seven-year-old gender-diverse child.

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

“To imagine that that information could accidentally be disclosed someday, in any manner, you know, even if that was accidental, could be extremely upsetting to them.”

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

“I would not share that information to another entity that requested it, particularly in the context of the current political climate,” she said.

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

Advocacy Group Weighing Further Action

The advocacy organization, which assisted the parent in her case, was evaluating a second lawsuit, it said recently.

The head, Ren Shike, said the decision had affected about 500 Queensland children and their families and it was “important to promptly enable the supply of reasons so that children and their parents can comprehend the reasoning behind this ruling, which has had such a devastating impact on their access to healthcare”.

Government Stance on Prohibition

The government has consistently said the ban would stay enforced until a examination into trans healthcare had been finished.