Josh Hutcherson star of The Hunger Games will be honoured this weekend by the US based Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD). Hutcherson will be presented with the organisations Vanguard Award which is for media professionals who have increased visibility and understanding of the GLBTI community.
Hutcherson is one of the founders of a campaign called Straight But Not Narrow which encourages straight teenagers to interact positively with their gay and lesbian peers. At just 19 years of age, Hutcherson will become the youngest person to ever be given this award.
Speaking to SamaritanMag.com, Hutcherson said, ‘We just launched [SBNN], and it’s a very exciting time for us and it hits close to home for me. I have a lot of gay friends in Los Angeles. My roommate’s gay and I lost two uncles when I was young to AIDS, so it’s an important cause in my family.’
GLAAD President Herndon Graddick commented,
‘Emerging as a leader in a new generation of equality advocates, Josh Hutcherson has consistently used his platform to help young people understand that no one should face discrimination simply because of who they are.
‘Josh’s commitment to achieving equality for every American is a message he carries in his work both on screen and off, earning him the honor of being GLAAD’s youngest-ever Vanguard Award recipient.’
Hutcherson previously starred as the son of a lesbian couple in the film The Kids Are Alright which was also honoured at the GLAAD Media Awards receiving the award for Outstanding Film.
Straight But Not Narrow videos have been made by a host of celebrities including Glee cast member Cory Montheith, 90210’s Ryan Rottman and Leon Thomas from the Nickelodeon series Victorious.
The GLAAD Media Awards are on April 21, watch Josh Hutcherson’s video below.
