Josh Hutcherson is not one of those young stars who uses fame and fortune solely for partying.
The 19-year old actor, known best for The Hunger Games and The Kids Are Alright, is using his position and influence to help Straight But Not Narrow, a group of straight allies who fight for equality and acceptance. And that work has earned him a Vanguard Award from GLAAD, which Hutcherson will receive this weekend, making him the youngest recipient in the organization's history.
Speaking with E! Online reporter Marc Malkin about his work and activism, Hutcherson implicitly thanked his mother for always being an advocate. "My mom has always been a big advocate, especially in the gay, lesbian, transsexual and bisexual community so for me it's always been a part of my soul," he said.
Hutcherson also revealed to Malkin that he had two gay uncles who died from AIDS-related illness in the early-1990s: "They were in their early thirties, in great shape, but unfortunately they were taken away from us too soon. Both passed away at about the time I was born."
As for his activism, Hutcherson says it's far more laud-worthy than anything he does on the big screen. "This is what my family is most proud of and the same for me," he said. "Acting is one thing, but actually trying to change the world and the way people think to make people's lives better? That's the stuff I'm most proud of."
If only Hutcherson were gay — and about a decade older…
