Entertainment uk celebrityukfilmhunger games

Josh Hutcherson Reveals Hope To Shut His Pro-LGBT Group, Straight But Not Narrow, 'But There's Still More Work To Do'

Josh Hutcherson Reveals Why He'd Love To Close His Pro-LGBT Group
Rachel McGrath
|

‘Hunger Games' star Josh Hutcherson has opened up about his Straight But Not Narrow campaign, which tackles homophobia in schools, revealing that he’d love to wind things down - but society isn’t ready.

The actor supports the campaign, which launched back in 2011, and he’s now admitted that he hopes its services aren’t required at some point in the future.

Open Image Modal

Josh Hutcherson

Speaking to E!, he explains: “There is still so much to do. It’s not only even about legislation.

“It starts there, by making it legally acceptable but socially there is so much prejudice and bias that is integrated into our culture and that’s going to be around for while.

“I hope one day in my lifetime we get to close the door on this group but there’s a lot more work to do.”

“I think one of the moments that was really rewarding was probably about two years ago when we got an email from a young guy in Florida," he continues. “He was like, ‘I’m 14 years old and I go to a very religious middle school and it’s been a really hard thing for me to come out and find support because I was afraid I wouldn’t be accepted in my community. But because of Straight But Not Narrow and the support that you show me from the straight community, it’s made me see a really different side of things and I’m so happy now that I came out to my friends and family and they all love me and support me so much’.”

Josh’s comments come following the closure of another US group, Freedom To Marry, which declared their mission accomplished after a vote for marriage equality passed in each of the 50 US states.

The actor has worked hard to shine a spotlight on eradicating homophobia, and back in 2013, he discussed his own sexuality, stating: “Maybe I could say right now I’m 100% straight. But who knows? In a f**king year, I could meet a guy and be like, ‘Whoa, I’m attracted to this person.’”

“I’ve met guys all the time that I’m like, ‘Damn, that’s a good-looking guy,’ you know? “I’ve never been, like, ‘Oh, I want to kiss that guy.’ I really love women.

“But I think defining yourself as 100% anything is kind of near-sighted and close-minded.”

Find out more about Straight But Not Narrow here.

Stonewall is a UK-based organisation, that offers more information on other LGBT services and helplines. Contact them on 08000 502020.

33 Great Moments In Cultural History That Wouldn't Have Happened Without LGBT People
'The Negro Speaks Of Rivers,' By Langston Hughes (1902-1967)(01 of07)
Open Image Modal
A leader of the Harlem Renaissance, poet, writer and playwright Langston Hughes is one of the most prominent historical black cultural figures. Hughes shed light on the lives of African-Americans in his work, drawing both support and criticism from the community. Many of his poems also had homosexual allusions and advocated for gay rights.Photo Courtesy of Hyperion Book CH (credit:Photo Courtesy of Hyperion Book CH)
'The Glass House,' By Philip C. Johnson (1906-2005)(02 of07)
Open Image Modal
American architect Philip C. Johnson designed many buildings throughout the U.S., including the Seagram Building and Lincoln Center in NYC and the One Detroit Center in Michigan. But The Glass House he designed and finished in 1949 in New Canaan, Conn. became a National Trust Historic Site. Johnson died at 98 in 2005, leaving behind his partner, David Whitney, of 45 years.Photo Courtesy of Wiki Commons / Staib (credit:Photo Courtesy of Wiki Commons / Staib)
Various Uses Of The Peanut By George Washington Carver (1864-1943)(03 of07)
Open Image Modal
Born into slavery, black and LGBT history icon George Washington Carver overcame his misfortune by becoming a successful scientist and inventor. Carver’s crop research, especially of the humble peanut, led to his inventions of plastics, paints, dyes and even a type of gasoline.Photo courtesy of Flickr user Vinni123 (credit:Photo courtesy of Flickr user Vinni123)
'Campbell's Soup Cans,' By Andy Warhol (1928-1987)(04 of07)
Open Image Modal
Deemed the godfather of the '60s Pop Art movement, Andy Warhol, originally from Pittsburgh, moved to NYC in 1949 to pursue his career as a commercial artist. Warhol, who was openly gay, was most famous for his whimsical paintings of Campbell’s soup cans, using unconventional (consumer) products as subjects, and fun, colorful portraits of celebrities including Marilyn Monroe and Elvis and changed the face of modern art. (credit:Alamy)
'Leaves Of Grass,' By Walt Whitman (1819-1892)(05 of07)
Open Image Modal
The revered and influential poet Walt Whitman was best known for his collection of poems “Leaves of Grass." Whitman was a pioneer for equal rights and treatment of all people, often showing his views in his poetry, as well as his homosexuality, writing suggestive poems such as “We Two Boys Together Clinging.” Photo Courtesy of Penguin Classics (credit:Photo Courtesy of Penguin Classics)
'Three Lives,' By Gertrude Stein (1874-1946)(06 of07)
Open Image Modal
Gertrude Stein, who was born in Pennsylvania, was a patron of the arts, opening a famous literary and artistic salon with her brother in Paris. The venue hosted writers from all over the world such as T.S. Eliot, Ernest Hemingway and F. Scott Fitzgerald. The French capital is also where Stein met her lifelong companion and lover, Alice B. Toklas. Stein was a writer herself, publishing titles such as “Three Lives” (1909) and “Tender Buttons: Objects, Food, Rooms” (1914).Courtesy of Penguin Classics (credit:Courtesy of Penguin Classics)
'Notes Of A Native Son,' By James Baldwin (1924-1987)(07 of07)
Open Image Modal
James Baldwin was a renowned author who wrote about race and sexuality in the middle of the 20th century. One of his many notable works, “Nobody Knows My Name,” was a best seller, and sold more than a million copies. Baldwin was openly gay and appeared on the cover of TIME magazine in 1963. Photo Courtesy of Beacon Press (credit:Photo Courtesy of Beacon Press)

LIKE US ON FACEBOOK | FOLLOW US ON TWITTER

Suggest a correction
|
Submit a tip