Josh Hutcherson's heartache at AIDS deaths

Josh Hutcherson has revealed his secret family heartache - two male relatives died from AIDS when he was a baby.

Two of Hutcherson's uncles were homosexual and HIV-positive, and their untimely deaths came soon after the actor was born..

The Hunger Games star, an outspoken advocate of gay rights, tells E! Online, "They were in their early thirties, in great shape, but unfortunately they were taken away from us too soon. Both passed away at about the time I was born."

Hutcherson works closely with the Straight But Not Narrow campaign - a lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender support group started by his best friend, Victorious star Avan Jogia.

He adds, "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."

The actor is to be honoured for his work with the gay community with the prestigious Vanguard Award at the upcoming 23rd annual GLAAD Media Awards in Los Angeles on 21 April (12).