The narrative incorporates explicit progressive elements through returning character Bliss, who shifts from she/her in the first game to they/them pronouns as non-binary; developer Gareth Damian Martin (they/them) stated this creates "a fun discussion between a non-binary person and a Sleeper about their experiences" and ensures "there are trans and non-binary people in the Citizen Sleeper universe," moving identity themes from subtext to foregrounded text. Queer romantic dynamics with Serafin and broader motifs of bodily autonomy, marginalization, found family, and anti-corporate solidarity further embed these elements in character arcs and relationships.

No character creation pronoun or body-type systems appear, and diversity among new crew feels organic to the setting rather than forced swaps. These aspects influence subplots and intent without collapsing the core premise of survival and contracts into identity politics.