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The state government released confidential details about the mother of a transgender teenager – data she claims potentially “outed” her teen – to a unknown individual.

Accusations of “Bullying” and “Privacy Violation”

The disclosure came as the government was accused of “coercion” and “an invasion of privacy” after requesting private health records from guardians of trans youth who are considering a additional court case to its controversial ban on hormone blockers.

Recent Official Directive on Hormone Treatments

Recently, the Queensland health minister, Tim Nicholls, enacted a fresh directive banning the use of puberty blockers for transgender patients, just hours after the high court ruled the government’s first attempt was unlawful.

Media has interviewed several parents who have contacted Nicholls for a legal document called a explanation of decision – a formal explanation of why the government decided to ban puberty blockers in the region. By law, the document must be supplied under the legal statute.

Demanded Medical Details

All four were asked by the health authorities for details of their teen’s health background, including the minor’s identity, their birthdate and any other evidence which confirms your child having a medical confirmation of gender identity disorder”.

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

The email, which has been seen by the media, also instructed them to verify if your child is a client of the youth gender service so that we can confirm the information submitted with the health service,” states the communication, which was dispatched recently.

Parents Label Demand as Invasion of Privacy

Each parent described the request as an violation of confidentiality.

A mother said she was reluctant to divulge the information because the state government had accidentally forwarded her information to a another individual.

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

Case of the Mother

The parent, who must remain anonymous because it would also identify or expose her child, was among those who asked for a explanation on multiple occasions.

In May, the department emailed a response intended for her to another parent, revealing her name and location – and the detail that she had a transgender child – to a third party. She said a department official later said sorry by telephone; the media has obtained an email from the department confirming the error.

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

“My daughter is very reserved. She is immensely fearful of being exposed in any social setting. She dislikes people to know that she’s trans,” the mother said.

“I respect that to my core as much as possible. The only time I ever disclose is out of necessity for gaining access to supports and exclusively to individuals I deem incredibly safe and I trust completely.”

Louise was especially worried about the suggestion it would be “confirmed” by the hospital.

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

Additional Mother Expresses Worries

Sally* said she was unwilling disclosing the health background of her seven-year-old gender-diverse child.

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

“To imagine that that information could inadvertently be disclosed one day, in any way, you know, although that was unintentional, could be deeply, deeply distressing 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 requested it, especially in the climate of the present environment,” she said.

“It’s such intensely private stuff. You wouldn’t disclose, for example, your HIV status to the minister’s office, you know. You’d be hesitant and very cautious to submit any of that information to a bunch of bureaucrats, basically.”

Legal Service Considering Second Lawsuit

The advocacy organization, which represented the mother in her challenge, was evaluating a second lawsuit, it said last week.

Its president, Ren Shike, said the ruling had impacted about hundreds of minors and their relatives and it was crucial to efficiently facilitate the supply of explanations so that children and their guardians can comprehend the logic behind this decision, which has had such a devastating impact on their access to healthcare”.

Authorities Stance on Ban

The government has consistently said the ban would stay enforced until a review into gender-affirming care had been completed.