as salam alaikum

In general, Islam encourages friendship with pious people and those who have a good religious influence on your personality and religiosity. So, to answer your question, you should first look at piety and religious/good influence of a certain person or group.

Islam also do not condone fornication, adultery or any intimate relation outside an Islamic-validated marriage. A Muslim is therefore called to preserve and support Islamic values before anything else.

With prayers for your success.