T. Thomason, a Canadian pop artist, has made the decision to withdraw from a festival in Belfast, Maine, despite his U.S. touring visa being valid until June. This decision was made due to his concerns about being singled out at the border as a non-binary trans man. Thomason, who divides his time between Toronto and Wolfville, Nova Scotia, recently announced his withdrawal from the All Roads Festival, scheduled to occur on May 16-17. He informed WIRED of his choice after observing executive orders from President Donald Trump aimed at the transgender community. These orders include one that mandates the U.S. government to acknowledge only two sexes—male and female. These developments, along with increasing anxiety fueled by reports of border detentions involving visitors and visa holders, contributed to his decision.
Thomason expressed concern, stating, “I just thought if that’s happening to cis people, I really feel worried about what could happen to me.” In a similar move, Bells Larsen, a Toronto and Montreal-based singer who is a trans man, revealed he is canceling his spring tour. The gender marked on his passport, male, differs from his assigned sex at birth, which could potentially render him ineligible for a U.S. visa in light of new rules implemented by the Trump administration. Aya Sinclair, a London-based musician who is a trans woman, mentioned to Pitchfork her intention to avoid performances in America for the time being. Even Neil Young, who holds both Canadian and American citizenship, has expressed concerns about being “jailed” upon his return to the United States due to his criticism of Trump.
The decision to avoid performing in the U.S. entails the loss of potential touring income and the chance to expand one’s fanbase in the world’s largest music market. For Canadian artists, redirecting efforts to Europe or other international locations represents a significant financial challenge.
The American Federation of Musicians of the United States and Canada, a union that can petition for touring visas, advised Canadian members that the recent changes in immigration policy contradict shared values, noting it’s unlikely the U.S. government will change its stance.
Dani Oliva, a Los Angeles-based entertainment attorney and a trans man, noted there is widespread concern among his clients in recent weeks. Oliva, Thomason’s lawyer, highlighted two visa options available to Canadian musicians aspiring to perform in the U.S., one of which can cost up to $8,000 and is considered particularly burdensome. Additionally, visa processing times have increased significantly unless expedited processing is paid for. Oliva conducts a risk versus benefit analysis for each client considering performing in the U.S. but worries that trans clients’ visa applications could be rejected for “misrepresentation or fraud,” leading to lifelong bans unless they obtain a waiver, a complex process.
Despite the challenges of obtaining a U.S. visa, the financial and cultural rewards remain significant. As Vancouver-based entertainment lawyer Kurt Dahl pointed out, the potential for greater exposure exists in America: “Let’s be real. I mean, so many artists only find their breakthrough if they tour in America,” due to the country’s substantially larger population and its potential for media coverage.
