Trans musician Bells Larsen was forced to cancel his US tour: ‘My livelihood has been robbed’

theguardian.comPublished: 4/23/2025

Summary

Bells Larsen's struggle with inconsistent gender information on his visa application underscores systemic barriers trans individuals face in immigration processes, even when they legally identify as female. Despite having a male passport, this detail delayed his tour plans, revealing the rigid bureaucratic requirements that disadvantage trans artists. While rare confirmed cases highlight this issue, the broader implications remain unresolved, creating significant obstacles for trans musicians seeking to perform internationally. Advocacy groups and labor unions are part of a movement to push for policy reform but face resistance from existing laws without tangible outcomes.