Though “The Hunger Games” relinquished the top spot at the box office after four weeks at No. 1, star Josh Hutcherson still brought the franchise some glory this weekend.

Young Hutcherson, who played baker’s son Peeta Mellark in “Games,” cooked up a win at Saturday evening’s GLAAD Media Awards in Los Angeles, where as we told you he was honored with the organization’s Vanguard Award.

Recognized as a person making a significant difference in promoting equal rights for the LGBT community — other recent winners have included Kristin Chenoweth, Drew Barrymore and Kathy Griffen — Hutcherson was a huge hit with the crowd as the Vanguard’s youngest-ever recipient.

“My story begins with equal rights before I was even born,” Hutcherson said on stage Saturday at downtown L.A.'s Westin Bonaventure hotel (check out a video of his acceptance speech below).


“My mom was raised by a big family, and two people in that family were her uncles, Steve and Jamie. They were both gay ... and also both happened to pass away from AIDS right as I was being born. Being honored with this award goes to them 100%.”

Mothers seemed a central theme at the bash; the Stephen F. Kolzak Award went to transgender star Chaz Bono (the award goes to an openly LGBT member of the entertainment or media industries). Mom Cher showed up to surprise him, presenting the award along with stepmother Rep. Mary Bono Mack.

The crowd lost it for the icon (natch), who wore an oversized afro and joked, “my pronouns for my child just jump all over the ... place.”

“Chaz has the most courage of almost anyone I know ... ,” she added on a serious note. “You really deserve this award.


Check out GLAAD’s full list of winners, which includes “Modern Family” as outstanding comedy series, “Dancing With the Stars” as outstanding reality series and Lady Gaga as outstanding music artist for “Born This Way.”

RELATED:

Josh Hutcherson on “The Hunger Games” ... and apple pie

‘Hunger Games’ star Josh Hutcherson to receive GLAAD honor


‘The Hunger Games’ nabs its first award, thanks to Josh Hutcherson

Follow Matt Donnelly on Twitter @mattdonnelly.