There are other sites (one in particular) that flat out condemn friendships with the other sex. Personally, that's ridiculous and hard not to do especially since they make up the other half of the population.
To me being friends is fine AS :LONG as you have those safeguards in place to guard yourself. Personally, I went out with many female friends during my sitch and what I did was gain valuable information about what they thought my W was going through. I never crossed that unspoken line.
Ultimately there is no "right" or "wrong" answer. It's up to you.
M-43 W-40 2D - 9 and 5
Emotion, yet peace. Ignorance, yet knowledge. Passion, yet serenity. Chaos, yet harmony. Death, yet a new life.