Entertainment
The Hunger Games & HIV
The smash hit movie: The Hunger Games has a star in it who’s life was touched by HIV/AIDS. Josh Hutcherson had two uncles who died from AIDS complications when the epidemic was in the early years. Josh said they might be gone but have never been forgotten.
He has become one of Hollywood’s most outspoken supporters in the fight for gay equal rights. He works closely with Straight But Not Narrow. “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 says.
This week he will be become the youngest recipient of the Vanguard Award at the GLAAD Media Awards in Los Angeles. He joins a stellar list of past honorees, including Elizabeth Taylor, Charlize Theron and Janet Jackson.
“This is what my family is most proud of and the same for me,” Hutcherson says. “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.”
When I ask if he thinks his uncles are looking down at him, Hutcherson says, “I’m not a religious person in that sense. But at the same time I do believe in some sort of something, just not sure exactly. But yeah, I’d like to think that they see what I’m doing and that they’re proud of me.” Cheers for this young man who ‘is’ making a difference.
Tom Thayer
info: http://www.poz.com/articles/hutcherson_hiv_glaad_1_22271.shtml
Tagged AIDS, aids epidemic, Charlize Theron, Elizabeth Taylor, GLAAD, HIV, HIV AIDS, Hunger Games, janet jackson, Josh Hutcherson, movie, Straight But Not Narrow, The Hunger Games, Vanguard Award
