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The Queensland government disclosed private information about the parent of a trans teenager – information she says potentially “outed” her child – to a stranger.

Allegations of “Bullying” and “Invasion of Privacy”

The disclosure came as the state government was accused of “coercion” and “an invasion of privacy” after requesting confidential medical information from parents of transgender children who are contemplating a additional legal challenge to its controversial prohibition on hormone blockers.

Latest Official Order on Puberty Blockers

Last month, the state health minister, Tim Nicholls, issued a fresh directive prohibiting the use of puberty blockers for trans individuals, shortly after the high court determined the government’s first attempt was illegal.

Guardian Australia has spoken to several parents who have contacted Nicholls for a official paper called a explanation of decision – a formal explanation of why the authorities decided to ban hormone treatments in the region. By law, the paper must be supplied under the state’s Judicial Review Act.

Demanded Health Information

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 teen having a clinical diagnosis of gender identity disorder”.

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

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 information submitted with Children’s Health Queensland,” states the communication, which was sent last Friday.

Parents Label Request as Breach of Confidentiality

All four mothers described the request as an invasion of privacy.

One parent said she was hesitant to divulge the details because the state government had mistakenly sent her information to a different parent.

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

Situation of the Mother

The parent, who must remain anonymous because it would also identify or expose her teen, was one of several who asked for a explanation on multiple occasions.

Earlier, the department emailed a reply intended for her to another parent, revealing her identity and location – and the detail that she had a trans teen – to a third party. She said a government employee later said sorry over the phone; the Guardian has seen an email from the department admitting the error.

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

“My child is incredibly private. She is immensely fearful of being outed in any social setting. She dislikes anyone to know that she’s transgender,” Louise said.

“I respect that to my core as much as possible. The sole occasion I ever, ever disclose is out of need for gaining access to supports and exclusively to people I deem trustworthy and I trust completely.”

Louise was particularly concerned about the suggestion it would be “verified” by the medical facility.

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

Other Parent Expresses Concerns

Another mother said she was not comfortable disclosing the medical history of her young non-binary child.

“It’s not my information, it’s a seven-year-old’s details,” she said.

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

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

“I would not share that data to any other organisation that requested it, particularly in the context of the current political climate,” she said.

“It’s such highly confidential stuff. You wouldn’t disclose, for example, your HIV status to the minister’s office, you know. You’d be very reluctant and very cautious to submit any of that information to a group of officials, basically.”

Legal Service Weighing Second Lawsuit

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

The head, Ren Shike, said the decision had impacted about hundreds of minors and their relatives and it was “important to promptly enable the supply of explanations so that minors and their guardians can comprehend the logic behind this ruling, which has had such a devastating impact on their medical care”.

Authorities Stance on Prohibition

The authorities has repeatedly said the prohibition would remain in place until a review into trans healthcare had been finished.