L.A. Confidential portrays LGBTQ+ individuals primarily as victims of crime, police harassment, and tabloid exploitation in 1950s Los Angeles. The depiction includes derogatory language and systemic prejudice without offering affirming counter-narratives or complex, dignified LGBTQ+ characters, resulting in a net negative impact.

L.A. Confidential portrays transsexual characters primarily as victims within a criminal enterprise. The revelation of a character's trans identity, such as Susan Lefferts, serves as a shocking plot point tied to illicit activities and tragedy. The film uses trans identity to highlight the corruption of 1950s Hollywood, framing it within exploitation and violence without offering affirming perspectives or complex character development.