Matthew McConaughey told gay glossy The
Advocate that he once consoled a crying gay guy whose advances he
had rejected by telling him, “Whatever raises your skirt.”
The 42-year-old McConaughey plays
former stripper and current club owner Dallas in the upcoming feature
film Magic Mike, which opens
nationwide June 29.
McConaughey said he
appreciates his gay fanbase.
“You know, I have
some good friends of my own who happen to be gay, and when it comes
to gay, straight, or whatever, I'm for anything life-affirming. I'm
for gay power, straight power, male power, female power; everybody
should feel empowered without oppressing anyone who's different.”
While attending the
University of Texas at Austin, McConaughey said he befriended a gay
guy from India who misunderstood his intentions.
“One
night, after he'd had a few drinks, he made a half-pass at me,”
McConaughey
said. “I went like, 'Whoa, whoa, whoa,' and he freaked out. I
think he thought I was going to be violent or something. I stopped
him and said, 'Hang on. I'm not gay, but I like you as a friend.
I'm sorry if you misread my friendship, but I sill want to be your
friend.' He was crying, and I remember giving him a hug and saying,
'Dude, it's fine. Whatever raises your skirt, man.' He asked me not
to tell anybody, and I said, 'You got it.' I didn't tell anybody,
and we remain friends.”