Goede tijden, slechte tijden has consistently offered a positive portrayal of LGBTQ+ characters and themes. Through long-running arcs and diverse storylines, it depicts queer lives with dignity, complexity, and agency, normalizing same-sex relationships and embracing evolving identities within its narrative.

Goede Tijden, Slechte Tijden featured a transgender character, Amy Kortenaer, in a prominent storyline. Her relationship with Noud Alberts explored themes of identity, acceptance, and love. The portrayal was largely affirming, depicting the character with dignity and framing challenges as external, ultimately validating transgender lives and relationships.

The series often depicts Christian cultural practices like weddings and funerals with respect, and characters identifying as Christian are generally portrayed with sympathy, their faith serving as a personal moral compass without narrative critique of the religion itself.

When Muslim characters are featured, their faith and cultural practices are typically portrayed with respect and nuance, as integral parts of their identity. The narrative generally avoids critiquing Islam itself, focusing instead on individual character experiences.