Jason Merritt/Getty ImagesIn an ideal world, Josh Hutcherson wouldn't have to continue his work with Straight But Not Narrow, the organization he co-founded to help build support networks between heterosexual and LGBT youth.
"There is still so much to do," the Hunger Games star tells me. "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."
And that includes hosting a celebrity volleyball match benefiting SBNN during the ASICS World Series of Beach Volleyball on Aug. 23 in Long Beach, Calif.
"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," Hutcherson remembers. "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.'"
Hutcherson praised Caitlyn Jenner for being so public with her journey. "I think it's fantastic for the LGBT community," he said. "We need people like that to share their stories because once [transgender] people become more of the norm, it will be easier for people to socially accept it."
Perhaps the Olympic champion could join Josh for some volleyball?
Don't miss your chance to support SBNN and hang out with Josh at the World Series of Beach Volleyball—go to joshhutchersonvolleyball.com to get your tickets now!