Loved reading your testimony of courage and self-discovery. I'm amongst the oldest of Millennials, and I was in middle school when our school district began phasing out mandatory gang showers after gym class. My fears (which I fully admit were rather irrational) were largely based on how I was a nerdy and freaky oddball who got harassed so badly. I was afraid another boy might physically assault me in the shower.

Now, in hindsight, I regret failing to have enjoyed that bonding experience for the 6 months during the Sixth Grade when it was required of us.

A story you might enjoy, about when I got a little follow-up taste of this camaraderie during my second year of college:

https://medium.com/ellemeno/the-time-my-clothes-were-stolen-as-a-college-prank-5c04fb8792b4