Key Takeaways
• U.S. now requires gender markers as ‘M’ or ‘F’ matching birth sex on all visas and passports.
• Canadian musicians with ‘X’ gender markers have faced tour cancellations after visa denials under new U.S. policy.
• Policy change impacts cultural exchange, LGBTQ+ rights, and creates barriers for trans and non-binary Canadian travelers.
Canadian musicians are now facing unexpected roadblocks when trying to enter the United States 🇺🇸 due to a recent change in U.S. immigration policy about gender markers on travel documents. This shift has led to tour cancellations and growing unease within Canada’s 🇨🇦 vibrant music and LGBTQ+ communities, highlighting how changes in visa processing can impact not only individual careers but also broader cultural connections between two close neighbors.
What Changed in U.S. Visa Policy?
On January 20, 2025, President Trump signed a new executive order affecting how travelers’ gender is listed on official U.S. documents. Specifically, this policy mandates that all U.S. passports and visas now show only an “M” or “F” gender marker, matching each applicant’s sex assigned at birth. This replaced the more flexible approach from previous years, where both U.S. and Canadian documents could display an “X” marker for people who do not identify strictly as male or female.
The order has immediate effects: anyone whose government ID does not list an “M” or “F” matching their birth sex is not able to get a U.S. visa. For transgender or non-binary Canadians—with passports that may show “X” for gender—this means their applications are now likely to be rejected when they try to book a U.S. tour or even attend a music festival south of the border.
Firsthand Effects: The Stories of Bells Larsen and T. Thomason
Two artists, Bells Larsen and T. Thomason, have put faces and voices to these issues. Bells Larsen is preparing to release an album, Blurring Time. He had lined up shows in big American cities like Boston, New York, and Los Angeles, as well as in Northern California. However, shortly after submitting his visa application with a Canadian passport that had an “X” gender marker, Larsen was told by the American Federation of Musicians that his application was denied under the new rules.
Larsen expressed frustration, explaining how his ability to connect with fans and promote his work was cut short. For any artist, being denied entry to the United States 🇺🇸 is a huge setback. As it stands, it directly limits his professional reach and income.
Similarly, T. Thomason had to withdraw from Maine’s All Roads Festival. He cited not only the direct impact of policy but also worries about personal safety while traveling in a country where his identification could put him at risk. Both Larsen and Thomason, like many other Canadian musicians, view touring in the United States 🇺🇸 as essential to their careers. This new requirement leaves them, and many others, feeling blocked and singled out for their identities.
How Canada 🇨🇦 Handles Gender Markers—and What Makes It Different
Canada 🇨🇦 stands out worldwide for allowing more options on its passports. Canadians can choose “M” (male), “F” (female), or “X” (unspecified/non-binary) on their documents. This policy reflects Canada’s 🇨🇦 broader approach to inclusivity and support for LGBTQ+ rights. For many, having an “X” on their passport is a source of dignity and recognition.
But, as this recent U.S. 🇺🇸 policy shift shows, such recognition is not always accepted abroad. The Canadian government now warns travelers that not every country will recognize non-binary gender markers. In official advice to travelers, Canadian officials suggest always checking visa rules and entry requirements before leaving home, especially if their documents display an “X” instead of “M” or “F.”
This advice is not limited to artists. Any Canadian with an “X” marker—whether they’re visiting family, playing hockey, or heading south for a vacation—now faces more uncertainty when approaching the U.S. border.
U.S. Policy: What Happens to Current “X” Passports?
It’s important to know that, as of now, American citizens holding a valid U.S. passport with an “X” gender marker can still use it to enter the country. However, under the new rule from President Trump, these passports can no longer be renewed or updated to an “X” gender marker. Only “M” or “F” markers linked to sex at birth are accepted on fresh passport or visa applications.
This leaves many Americans and visitors from abroad in a tough spot. For international visa-seekers—like Canadian musicians hoping to play shows in Los Angeles or New York—there is simply no path forward if their official documents do not line up with U.S. demands.
If you would like to learn more about U.S. requirements for sex and gender markers on travel documents, the U.S. State Department’s official page offers up-to-date information.
Why Does This Matter for Canadian Musicians?
Touring the United States 🇺🇸 has always been central for many Canadian acts. The market is larger, the stages are more numerous, and U.S. events give artists exposure that often helps launch or boost a career back home. When a band or solo artist from Toronto, Montreal, or Vancouver books a U.S. tour, it is often the result of months of planning, investment, and visa processing. Any sudden change in visa rules can place all those efforts at risk.
For Canadian musicians who are transgender or non-binary, the impact is more than just a denied visa or lost income. It signals that their identities, which are recognized and respected at home, are now barriers abroad. It can also harm mental health. Many artists say that having their identity doubted or rejected by a government agency—not just an employer or a venue—deepens feelings of exclusion.
Bells Larsen told San Francisco Chronicle how devastated he was to miss out on connecting with fans and fellow musicians in the United States 🇺🇸. T. Thomason, in a video interview with Xtra Magazine, mentioned that the stress was not only about the visa denial but also about health and safety while traveling.
Bigger Picture: Impact on Cultural Exchange
VisaVerge.com’s investigation reveals that policies about passport gender markers don’t just affect a few artists. They touch on larger questions of freedom of movement, cultural exchange, and human dignity. Musicians, artists, and writers have always played a key role in bringing countries together, sparking conversations, and helping people from different backgrounds share ideas.
When rules make it harder for some people to cross borders, it doesn’t just block an individual’s trip—it can limit which voices reach international audiences. Cultural relationships between the United States 🇺🇸 and Canada 🇨🇦 have grown for decades, built on shared music, festivals, TV programs, and more. Each time a Canadian band cancels a show in the United States 🇺🇸, a bit of that exchange goes missing.
Concerns for LGBTQ+ Travelers Beyond Musicians
It’s not just Canadian musicians who could run into trouble. The Canadian side has publicly warned all LGBTQ+ travelers: if your ID card or passport has a gender marker outside the “M” or “F” standard, you may be turned away at certain borders—including the United States 🇺🇸. The advice is clear: always double-check, well in advance, before you travel for any reason.
Some countries have even stricter rules—or do not permit entry to LGBTQ+ individuals at all. Canada’s official travel advice for LGBTQ+ citizens lists several places to watch out for, making this Canadian government resource a must-visit before booking flights.
The Political Backdrop: Broader Trends
This U.S. policy shift fits a wider pattern from President Trump’s administration, which has rolled back several rules that once protected transgender rights. The 2025 order on gender markers is seen by many as part of that trend.
The new policy is drawing attention outside the music world, too. Neil Young, a well-known Canadian-American artist, has worried that certain U.S. policies could even lead to travel bans for critics of the administration. While the U.S. is tightening some of its entry requirements, Canada 🇨🇦 keeps allowing international visitors—including Americans—to use “X” markers if that matches their identity.
For editors, event organizers, and music fans alike, these changes raise important questions: Will fewer Canadian musicians appear at U.S. festivals? Will American artists face trouble if they want to tour in Canada 🇨🇦 using their own “X” marker IDs?
Long-Term Effects and Possible Next Steps
These developments could have long-term impacts beyond canceled shows. For emerging artists, missing out on U.S. tour dates may limit their growth. Promoters, clubs, and festivals in both countries may need new systems to support artists whose documentation no longer fits cross-border rules.
Some possible steps forward:
- Musicians can work closely with their unions and immigration lawyers to keep up with any new rule changes.
- Artists may consider updating their travel documents if possible, but not everyone is able or willing to change their gender marker for the sake of a visa.
- Event organizers could advocate for exceptions or special visa categories for artists with non-binary identities.
It’s clear that this debate about visa processing and gender markers is not only about paperwork—it’s about how people are recognized and treated across international lines.
Practical Tips If You Are Planning to Travel
If you are a Canadian musician, artist, or just someone with an “X” marker on your travel documents, it’s important to:
- Check official government websites regularly for updated visa rules. The Canadian government’s passport information page is a helpful resource.
- Reach out early to the American Federation of Musicians or similar bodies, if you’re planning professional activities in the United States 🇺🇸.
- Talk with fellow travelers or advocacy groups for the latest advice on safe and successful travel.
- Always have extra documentation ready. Some countries may ask for additional proof of sex assigned at birth, so carrying a birth certificate or similar document could help.
- Prepare a backup plan in case you are unable to travel, such as scheduling online or local events.
The Ongoing Conversation
The cancellations by Bells Larsen and T. Thomason have started a broader conversation about fairness, safety, and equal access. It also shines a light on how rules about visa processing and gender markers can shape real people’s lives.
By sharing their stories, these musicians are not only standing up for themselves but also for countless others who might face the same barriers. Their actions prompt all of us to think about what kind of cultural exchange and freedom of movement we want to see in the future.
Summary
A new U.S. 🇺🇸 policy now requires all visas and passports to show an “M” or “F” marker that matches the sex a person was assigned at birth. This has caused Canadian musicians with “X” gender markers, like Bells Larsen and T. Thomason, to cancel U.S. tour dates. The changes reflect deeper trends in U.S. politics and pose challenges for the entire Canadian LGBTQ+ and artist community, affecting everything from career plans to personal safety.
Looking ahead, Canadian musicians must check visa processing rules very carefully, and all travelers with unique gender markers should use official resources and professional advice to help avoid trouble. As the debate continues, the hope is that future policies will make it easier for all people—no matter their gender—to share their talents and connect across borders.
Learn Today
Gender Marker → A letter or indicator on official documents showing a person’s gender, like ‘M’, ‘F’, or ‘X’.
Executive Order → A directive signed by the President of the United States with immediate effect, impacting federal policy or operations.
Non-binary → An identity for people who do not see themselves exclusively as male or female.
Visa Processing → The official review and approval procedure for allowing a foreign national to enter a country.
Federation of Musicians → An organized group that supports professional musicians, such as visa assistance, legal guidance, and advocacy.
This Article in a Nutshell
A change in U.S. visa policy now rejects non-binary ‘X’ markers on official documents. Canadian artists like Bells Larsen and T. Thomason must cancel tours, illustrating the real effect on cultural exchange and identity recognition. Updated travel rules force LGBTQ+ Canadians to reconsider future visits and share new practical advice.
— By VisaVerge.com
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