Why do they have communal toilets in parts of Russia?

[David GH UK]

I dont see anything so disgusting and unhealthy as having anything to do with gay people ? I cant explain the Russian toilet,but I do remember its hardly the first time communal toilets have been known,including old Roman ones that were in England,and I believe some still exist. Everyone carried a sponge on a stick as toiler paper. In fact the Roman ones were the first word in engineering with running water underneath to carry away the waste. See my link.

Regarding Urinals. I personally refuse to use urinals when its crowded,but its hardly the same thing as the full toilet ? In any case early urinals were divided into small sections where the user had some privacy from the next door user..