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The state government disclosed confidential details about the parent of a trans teenager – data she says potentially “outed” her teen – to a unknown individual.

Allegations of “Intimidation” and “Invasion of Privacy”

The disclosure 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 court case to its disputed ban on puberty blockers.

Latest Official Directive on Hormone Treatments

Last month, the state health official, Tim Nicholls, issued a fresh directive banning the use of puberty blockers for trans individuals, just hours after the state’s supreme court determined the initial ban was illegal.

Guardian Australia has interviewed four mothers who have contacted Nicholls for a legal document called a statement of reasons – a formal explanation of why the authorities decided to ban puberty blockers in the state. By law, the paper must be supplied under the legal statute.

Requested Medical Details

Each were required by the health authorities for details of their teen’s health background, including the minor’s identity, their date of birth and any other evidence which confirms your child having a clinical diagnosis of gender dysphoria”.

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

The message, which has been reviewed by the media, also instructed them to “please also confirm if your child is a client of the youth gender service so that we can confirm the data submitted with Children’s Health Queensland,” states the communication, which was dispatched last Friday.

Parents Label Request as Invasion of Privacy

Each parent characterized the demand as an invasion of privacy.

One parent said she was hesitant to divulge the information because the authorities had accidentally sent her data to a another individual.

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

Situation of Louise*

The parent, who cannot be legally identified because it would also identify or expose her teen, was among those who asked for a explanation both times.

Earlier, the agency emailed a response intended for her to someone else, revealing her identity and location – and the detail that she had a transgender child – to a third party. She said a government employee later apologised over the phone; the Guardian has seen an email from the department confirming the error.

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

“My child is incredibly private. She is deeply afraid of being exposed in any social setting. She dislikes people to be aware that she’s transgender,” Louise said.

“I honor that to my core as much as possible. The only time I ever, ever share is out of need for gaining access to supports and exclusively to people I deem trustworthy and I trust completely.”

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

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

Other Mother Voices Worries

Another mother said she was not comfortable revealing the health background of her young gender-diverse child.

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

“To imagine that that data could inadvertently be disclosed one day, in any way, you know, even if that was accidental, could be extremely upsetting to him.”

She responded saying the agency had asked for an “extraordinary amount of information”.

“I wouldn’t provide that data to any other organisation that asked for it, especially in the climate of the present environment,” she said.

“It’s such intensely private information. You wouldn’t disclose, for instance, your medical condition to the minister’s office, you know. You’d be very reluctant and careful to provide any of that information to a bunch of bureaucrats, essentially.”

Legal Service Considering Second Lawsuit

The advocacy organization, which represented the mother in her case, was considering a second lawsuit, it said recently.

The head, Ren Shike, said the ruling had impacted about hundreds of minors and their relatives and it was crucial to promptly enable the supply of reasons so that children and their parents can understand the reasoning behind this ruling, which has had such a severe effect on their medical care”.

Authorities Stance on Prohibition

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