How we go about finding relationships

I'm still in the closet, so I don't really know how it all works. But going by what I've observed on Reddit and other forums, and people. It seems that we only really find relationships at exclusively gay locations, or gay dating apps. It just got me really depressed, I wish I could meet potential SO's at any place (I'm doing a really bad job at using words to express how I feel) I feel like if I want to have relationships and meet other gay people, I have to devote way more time and energy and even neglect my straight friends. I just can't really explain how I feel, but does anyone have any input, does anyone understand?