It’s okay to like someone in general. You feel something, it just happens, and it’s natural. I’m glad you can recognize that the guy is gay and respected his preference for other men. I don’t think there’s anything to be ashamed of. So you liked someone who didn’t want to date you for one reason or another (and it’s still a valid reason too), so what? It happens all the time, it’s just with you that you happened to grow feelings for someone who is gay.
Idk how old you are or where you are from, but I think in time and with life in general, the more expand your social circle (from maybe moving, going to a new school, getting a new job, just any way you naturally meet new people) the more you’ll have a chance to possibly meet someone would be also like you back. In every relationship I’ve ever had I never went out of my way to meet people or look for a date. I literally met them naturally through a college class and I’ve had a coworker who admitted they liked me before.
If you want to be more ‘active’ and use dating apps, that’s fine too, but my point is that I’m sure you’ll eventually just randomly meet someone you like and they will like you back. Life is really random and it’s really easy for anyone to feel doomed or trapped when they still moving within the same circles of people / the same environments. Don’t give up hope! Just be you, do your own thing, and with time I’m sure you’ll meet someone who would love to date you too whether it was through your environment (school, work, etc) or a dating app. Hope that helps :)

---

we have the same name lol 5 hours ago