Meet Scott in the GAY IN AMERICA video.
Aaron McQuade: Where did the idea for this book come from?
Scott Pasfield: People always tell you to shoot what you love. You have to start with yourself. The epiphany came one night at home. I was surfing the web and realized what a powerful tool it had become for connecting gay men across the country, from all over, and it just dawned on me. I decided that I would meet men from every state, and photograph them in the hopes that I could do a book that would change opinions and educate. And that started with shooting who I was and what my passions were.
AM: Why gay men?
SP: I originally thought that I would like to try and shoot men and women from every state, but like a screenwriter or novelist does with his first movie or novel, I chose to start with shooting what I am, and what I know. It was my first-born and I had to focus on men, which is my world.
That said, I also strongly believe that artists and creators must grow and move beyond the familiarity, comfort and security of their world. Those who do–who venture into exploring, documenting and recounting the experiences of those inhabiting worlds other than their own–are often rewarded by the creation of some of their best work.
I would very much love to do Lesbian in America and am trying to figure out a way to make that possible. It will be a challenge, but that has not stopped me before. I think to assume I cannot do it well, because I am a man, is a bit sexist. I’m also getting a lot of encouragement from women who’ve read the book and those whom I’ve met on my book tour.
