Orange Is the New Black offers a profoundly positive and groundbreaking portrayal of LGBTQ+ characters. It features a diverse cast of queer women, including a prominent transgender character, whose lives, relationships, and struggles are depicted with dignity, complexity, and agency. The show consistently affirms LGBTQ+ identities while critiquing external forces of prejudice and systemic oppression.

Orange Is the New Black features Sophia Burset, a prominent transsexual character whose journey explores the complexities of identity, family, and systemic discrimination within a carceral setting. The show consistently portrays her with dignity and empathy, highlighting the injustices she faces while affirming the worth of trans lives, resulting in a net positive impact.

While some characters' initial engagement with Buddhism is portrayed with light humor regarding their superficiality, the underlying principles are not ridiculed. The show presents it as a valid path for self-discovery and peace, particularly for characters seeking spiritual meaning.

The show offers a complex portrayal, critiquing hypocrisy and fanaticism within Christian characters while also depicting genuine faith as a source of community, solace, and moral guidance. The narrative often positions the audience to condemn bigotry or misuse of faith, while affirming its potential for good.

The show depicts Muslim characters and their commitment to their faith with respect, showcasing their search for community, discipline, and identity. It often highlights the challenges they face in practicing Islam within the prison system without portraying the religion itself as problematic.

The show portrays Jewish characters and their efforts to practice their faith with respect and nuance, highlighting the importance of cultural and religious identity within the challenging prison environment. The narrative generally sympathizes with their struggles for recognition and adherence to tradition.