I don't remember an outcry at the time. Also, I can't say that it was a commentary on male bias in the media like they were saying oh she ending up liking it so it was OK or good sex makes everything right. Or if "no" changes to "maybe" after the fact then all is well. I think General Hospital set the tone with Luke and Laura when she realized her rapist was her one true love. It will be interesting to see if the CW reboot has a similar scene. Probably not in today's PC world. They will also need to tone down Blake's "I am disgusted by my gay son" vibe in the original.

Yes, I was shocked in the pilot episode the way that Blake was treating Stephen. I just couldn't believe the way he was talking to him and the language that he used. I don't think she ended up liking it, but yes I agree it was likely male bias in the media. The men seemed very rough with the women. Also it was like they were scared to have an openly gay character and that is why they ended up making him sleep with a woman (I can't remember her name). It was probably so that if anyone was offended they could think to themselves that he wasn't really gay. Luke raped Laura? I didn't watch in those days so I don't remember. Horrible. And I agree the reboot would likely not have a similar scene or hostile treatment towards Stephen.

They even mentioned it in later episodes. Was it really okay for a man to rape his wife in those days?