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The state government released private details about the mother of a transgender teenager – information she claims potentially exposed her child – to a stranger.

Allegations of “Intimidation” and “Privacy Violation”

The revelation came as the government was charged of “coercion” and “an invasion of privacy” after demanding private health records from parents of transgender children who are contemplating a further legal challenge to its disputed ban on hormone blockers.

Recent Government Directive on Hormone Treatments

Last month, the state health minister, Tim Nicholls, issued a new order banning the prescription of puberty blockers for transgender patients, just hours after the state’s supreme court determined the initial ban was illegal.

Guardian Australia has spoken to several parents who have approached Nicholls for a official paper called a explanation of decision – a formal explanation of why the government made a decision to ban hormone treatments in the region. Legally, the paper must be supplied under the legal statute.

Demanded Health Information

All four 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 medical confirmation of gender identity disorder”.

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

The message, 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 Children’s Health Queensland,” states the email, which was sent last Friday.

Parents Describe Demand as Invasion of Privacy

All four mothers characterized the demand as an violation of confidentiality.

One parent said she was reluctant to share the details because the state government had mistakenly forwarded her information to a another individual.

“It seems like having to reveal your child to obtain a response; like, it’s terrifying,” she said.

Situation of the Mother

The parent, who must remain anonymous because it would also reveal or “out” her teen, was one of several who asked for a explanation both times.

Earlier, the agency sent a reply intended for her to another parent, disclosing her name and address – and the detail that she had a trans teen – to a stranger. She said a department official later apologised over the phone; the media has seen an email from the agency confirming the mistake.

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

“My daughter is very reserved. She is deeply afraid of being exposed in any public space. She doesn’t like anyone to be aware that she’s transgender,” Louise said.

“I respect that to my core as much as humanly possible. The sole occasion I ever disclose is out of need for gaining access to services and only to individuals I deem trustworthy and I trust completely.”

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

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

Other Parent Expresses Concerns

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

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

“To think that that information could accidentally be leaked someday, in any manner, you know, although that was unintentional, could be extremely upsetting to him.”

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

“I would not share that information to any other organisation that asked for it, particularly in the climate of the current political climate,” she said.

“It’s such highly confidential information. You would not reveal, for instance, your HIV status to the minister’s office, you know. You’d be hesitant and very cautious to provide any of that information to a bunch of bureaucrats, essentially.”

Legal Service Weighing Further Action

The LGBTI Legal Service, which represented the mother in her challenge, was evaluating a new legal action, it said last week.

Its president, Ren Shike, said the ruling had affected about hundreds of minors and their families and it was crucial to promptly enable the provision of explanations so that minors and their guardians can comprehend the reasoning behind this ruling, which has had such a devastating impact on their medical care”.

Authorities Position on Prohibition

The government has repeatedly said the ban would remain in place until a examination into gender-affirming care had been completed.