By Aidin Vaziri,Staff Writer
April 11, 2025 (SFChronicle.com)
The cover portrait for Bells Larsen’s sophomore album, “Blurring Time.” The Canadian singer-songwriter, who is trans, announced he was forced to cancel all U.S. tour dates due to a new federal immigration policy that requires government-issued identification to reflect an individual’s sex assigned at birth.
Just weeks before the release of his deeply personal sophomore album “Blurring Time,” Canadian singer-songwriter Bells Larsen, who is trans, announced he was forced to cancel all U.S. tour dates due to a new federal immigration policy that requires government-issued identification to reflect an individual’s sex assigned at birth.
“I received an email on Tuesday from the American Federation of Musicians stating that I am no longer able to apply for a Visa because US Immigration now only recognizes identification that corresponds with one’s assigned sex at birth,” Larsen wrote in an Instagram post Friday, April 11. “To put it super plainly, because I’m trans (and have an M on my passport), I can’t tour in the States.”
The abrupt change follows an executive order signed by President Donald Trump on the first day of his second term, declaring that all U.S. documents must “accurately reflect the holder’s sex.” The administration claims the policy is immutable.
Larsen’s canceled tour included stops in Boston, New York and Los Angeles, as well as several Northern California dates, where he had hoped to perform for queer and trans audiences. He was scheduled to perform at the 4 Star Theater in San Francisco, June 25; Little Saint in Healdsburg, June 26; the Miniplex in Arcata, June 27; and the Partisan in Merced, June 28.
“Blurring Time” is an intimate project exploring Larsen’s gender transition, described by the artist as “my life’s work.”
“This new policy has crushed my dreams,” he wrote. “I’m cradling a very broken heart and the realization that I don’t know if or when I will be able to tour in the States again.”
Halifax artist T. Thomason, also trans, canceled a scheduled appearance at Maine’s All Roads Festival, citing similar concerns. “I just don’t feel like it’s worth the risk,” he said in a video post.
The policy shift has prompted broader fears among Canadian musicians.
“There’s a lot of weight put on being able to break into that market,” Thomason added. “If you’re an artist that is legally not able to get into the U.S., that’s a huge hit to your career.”
Earlier this month, Canadian rocker Neil Young expressed concern that Trump may prevent him from reentering the U.S. after his upcoming European tour due to his outspoken political stance.
“That’s right folks, if you say anything bad about Trump or his administration, you may be barred from re-entering USA. If you are Canadian,” he continued. “If you are a dual citizen like me, who knows? We’ll all find that out together.”
Reach Aidin Vaziri: avaziri@sfchronicle.com
April 11, 2025
STAFF WRITER
Aidin Vaziri is a staff writer at The San Francisco Chronicle.