Bells Larsen
Canadian singer-songwriter Bells Larsen has been forced to cancel his highly anticipated U.S. tour, a direct consequence of the Trump administration’s discriminatory visa regulations targeting transgender applicants, reports LGBTQ Nation.
This cancellation underscores the urgent need for political activism against such policies.
Larsen, whose album “Blurring Time” is set for release on April 25th, had scheduled U.S. shows in June, including major cities like New York City, Boston, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. However, an Instagram post on April 11th revealed the devastating news: he was deemed ineligible for a U.S. visa. The American Federation of Musicians confirmed that U.S. immigration authorities recognize only identification matching the sex assigned at birth.
This decision stems from a late February memo issued by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, which instructs consulates to deny visas to transgender applicants who are perceived to have misrepresented their sex on application forms, citing a provision within the 1952 Immigration and Nationality Act. While this directive followed President Trump’s executive order concerning transgender female athletes, legal experts have clarified that its reach extends to all transgender visa applicants.
“To put it super plainly,” Larsen wrote, “because I’m trans (and have an M on my passport), I can’t tour in the States.”
Larsen’s attempt to mitigate the risks, by traveling with a cisgender male companion and limiting performances to blue states, proved futile. Legal advice confirmed the impossibility of proceeding. He expressed profound disappointment, stating that the policy “has crushed my dreams” of launching his deeply personal album, centered on his transition, in the U.S. and connecting with American audiences, particularly within the queer and trans communities.
United Musicians and Allied Workers vehemently condemned the policy on X, asserting the fundamental right of transgender musicians like Larsen to safety, dignity, and work access, and calling for action against these policies.
Larsen confirmed his Canadian tour will proceed as planned, vowing to remain authentic and deliver “queer joy, power, and catharsis” to his audiences. He also issued a call for solidarity from fellow musicians, seeking invitations to join Canadian and European tours to ensure his album’s reach. This situation highlights the urgent need for political activism to challenge discriminatory policies and ensure equal access for all.
Larsen has since announced he will open for Dan Mangan on his Canadian tour dates this fall.
