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The state government released private details about the mother of a trans teenager – information she claims potentially exposed her teen – to a unknown individual.

Allegations of “Intimidation” and “Invasion of Privacy”

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

Latest Official Directive on Puberty Blockers

Last month, the state health minister, Tim Nicholls, issued a new order banning the prescription of puberty blockers for trans individuals, shortly after the high court ruled the government’s first attempt was unlawful.

Media has spoken to several parents who have contacted Nicholls for a official paper called a statement of reasons – a formal explanation of why the authorities made a decision to prohibit puberty blockers in the state. Legally, the paper must be supplied under the legal statute.

Demanded Health Information

Each were required 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 clinical diagnosis of gender dysphoria”.

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

The email, which has been reviewed by the media, also instructed 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 sent recently.

Parents Describe Demand as Invasion of Privacy

All four mothers described the request as an violation of confidentiality.

A mother said she was reluctant to share the information because the state government had mistakenly sent her information to a different parent.

“It feels like having to ‘out’ your child to obtain a reply; like, it’s frightening,” she said.

Situation of Louise*

Louise*, who must remain anonymous because it would also identify or expose her teen, was among those who requested a explanation both times.

Earlier, the agency sent a response intended for her to another parent, revealing her identity and address – and the detail that she had a trans teen – to a third party. She said a department official later apologised by telephone; the media has obtained an message from the department admitting the mistake.

She said she felt “ill and vulnerable” as a consequence of the blunder.

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

“I respect that to my core as much as humanly possible. The only time I ever, ever disclose is out of need for obtaining entry to services and exclusively to people I consider incredibly safe and I know well.”

Louise was particularly concerned about the implication it would be “verified” by the hospital.

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

Other Mother Expresses Concerns

Another mother said she was not comfortable revealing the health background of her seven-year-old non-binary child.

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

“To think that that information could accidentally be leaked one day, in any manner, you know, even if that was unintentional, could be extremely upsetting to them.”

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

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

“It’s such highly confidential information. You wouldn’t disclose, for instance, your medical condition to the minister’s office, you know. You’d be hesitant and very cautious to submit such details to a group of officials, essentially.”

Advocacy Group Weighing Second Lawsuit

The LGBTI Legal Service, which assisted the parent in her challenge, was considering a second lawsuit, it said recently.

Its president, Ren Shike, said the ruling had impacted about hundreds of minors and their relatives and it was “important to promptly enable the provision of explanations so that children and their parents can comprehend the reasoning behind this ruling, which has had such a severe effect on their medical care”.

Government Position on Ban

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