Canadian singer-songwriter Bells Larsen has canceled his short run of U.S. tour dates in June due to recent policy changes from the Trump administration regarding passports.
The indie-folk singer, who identifies as a trans man, will release their new album, “Blurring Time,” in two weeks. Noting with a detailed statement through his Instagram, Larsen chronicled what happened regarding not being allowed to apply for a visa.
“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,” wrote Larsen.
“To put it super plainly, because I’m trans (and have an M on my passport), I can’t tour in the States. I hesitate to include a ‘right now’ or an ‘anymore’ at the end of my previous sentence because — in this sociopolitical climate — I truly don’t know which phrasing holds more truth.”
In January, President Donald Trump signed an executive order directing the federal government to recognize only two biological sexes and ordering the State Department to issue passports that “accurately reflect the holder’s sex.” Soon after, US Citizenship and Immigration Services updated their policies regarding this guidance.
Larsen mentioned he built his new album around transitioning and is saddened that he won’t be able to share it with fans in the US as intended. “This new policy has crushed my dreams,” Larson noted.
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Murjani Rawls may be reached at mrawls@njadvancemedia.com