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 portrays Christianity as an integral part of the urban landscape and characters' lives, often exploring moral dilemmas through a lens that acknowledges faith's role. While individual adherents may be flawed, the narrative generally treats the religion with respect and nuance, aligning with the dignity of faith rather than condemning it.