Deadwood features Joanie Stubbs, a complex lesbian character whose identity is portrayed with dignity and empathy. Her relationships with women are depicted as genuine and significant, and while she endures immense suffering, it stems from the town's brutality and personal trauma, not her sexual orientation. The show's nuanced approach affirms her worth and the validity of her queer identity within its gritty realism.

The show portrays genuine Christian faith (e.g., Reverend Smith) with profound sympathy and dignity, even amidst suffering and the town's brutality. While cynical characters mock religion, the narrative frames their bigotry as part of the camp's harshness, positioning the audience to sympathize with the struggling faithful and the moral compass they represent.

Sol Star, a prominent Jewish character, is consistently depicted as honest, principled, and a moral anchor in the chaotic town. His Jewish heritage is presented with respect and as an integral, positive aspect of his identity, without being a source of conflict or negative stereotyping.