JKwaffle posted... I mean, frankly, this is the right answer.
Most of my closest friends are women, and I'm a dude.
I will also admit though, like 40% of my friends, I've asked out once. If they said nah, I just said "ok cool no worries." and we kept being friends. (I'm also friends with some of my exes still)
In my opinion, the issue really happens when a dude asks their friend out, they say nah, and then the dude acts all bitter and proves they didn't actually wanna be friends with them, they just wanted to fuck.
If you're attracted to your friend(s), that's fine. But if you stop being friends with them the second they reject you romantically and/or sexually, you're just a dickhead IMO.
I noticed I have you as a 5 star poster in your tag. I don't remember what earned you your 5 stars, but your post reinforces it.