Jennifer Chang and Lisa Dazols spent close to a year traveling around the world, looking to talk with LGBT leaders in a dozen different countries. The now-married couple brought cameras along on their trip and the results are captured in Out & Around, a documentary airing tonight on Logo. Narrated by ally and actress Abbie Cornish (Big Star, Stop Loss), the film shares personal stories from Jennifer and Lisa (such as Jennifer’s struggles to come out to her parents) and their sweet mid-trip double engagement.
Abbie said she became involved after her good friend and the film’s producer Ryan Suffern asked her to provide the voiceover.
“It’s an important story to tell and to to see,” Abbie said. “The documentary is a real insight into the differences in LGBT communities, cultures and laws around the world. At the core of the documentary is a love story. I thought that was beautiful. It was interesting to see how much the laws, opinions and views differed from place to place and country to country.”
Out & Around celebrates the progress made in some areas of the world (such as LGBT-friendly New Zealand) and details the slow evolvement in others (including Taiwan, where part of Jenny’s family lives and she remains closeted while visiting them). The stories are largely inspiring, though, with the couple meeting LGBT figures in each stop along the way who are working to make changes for the visibility and treatment of the queer community.
Abbie is from Australia, where the gay community is struggling to approve marriage equality. She says her home country “feels behind the times” despite being “a very multi-cultural, aware and progressive country.”
“I hope that laws are passed soon,” Abbie said. “I believe in equality for everyone. Love is love and should be celebrated and respected in every way.”
Abbie thinks Jennifer and Lisa’s “beautiful love story” will resonate with a wide audience, and even though it was filmed two years ago and there’s been progress in some parts of the world, the subject matter is “incredibly relevant today.”
“They are exploring their love in the larger context of the world we live in, telling their story and others stories and connecting with LGBT communities all around the world,” Abbie said. “I really enjoyed the celebration of love in this documentary. It really is a sweet journey that these women go on together.
Out & Around airs tonight on Logo at 9/8c.
