Hill Street Blues, for its era, offered a remarkably empathetic and critical portrayal of LGBTQ+ issues. It depicted gay characters with dignity, notably Officer Freedom, and framed homophobia as an external, problematic force rather than endorsing it, contributing to a net positive impact.

Hill Street Blues featured a transsexual character, Bobby, in a witness role. The portrayal was largely neutral, acknowledging the character's identity as part of their circumstances without making it a source of ridicule or explicit affirmation. The show treated the character with a degree of matter-of-factness, fitting its realistic tone.

Hill Street Blues often depicted Christian characters and clergy as integral parts of the urban community, striving for good amidst complex challenges. While individual characters might be flawed, the narrative generally treated the faith with respect, exploring its role in providing moral guidance and community support without condemning the religion itself.

The series included Jewish characters and community elements as part of its realistic portrayal of a diverse urban environment. These depictions were generally respectful, focusing on the characters' humanity and their contributions to the community, rather than critiquing the tenets or practices of Judaism.