Josh Hutcherson, the 19-year-old actor
who currently stars as Peeta Mellark in the film The Hunger Games,
has said he's most proud of his gay rights advocacy.
On Saturday, Hutcherson will be honored
with the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation's (GLAAD)
Vanguard Award at the group's 23rd annual Media Awards in
Los Angeles. He is the youngest person to receive the award.
Speaking with E!
Online's Marc Malkin, Hutcherson explained that two gay uncles
who died from AIDS have never been forgotten by his family.
“Both passed away at about the time I
was born,” Hutcherson said. “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.”
Hutcherson's activism includes
recording several videos aimed at young gay teens with Straight But
Not Narrow's (SBNN) Avan Jogia.
“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.”