It's nice that "new" Trek wants to portray things like equality for LGBT people as a given; hopefully we can reach that one day. And I think it's good that LGBT people can "see themselves" on the screen without having their queerness be the focus of the drama. People just want to live their lives, and they want to see other queer people just living their lives.
On the other hand, showing the struggle and making it the focus of the drama, as Orville does, is the thing that helps people understand and confront the issues themselves. The whole story around Topa is very strong. Societal misogyny. Klyden's entire journey (his own sex reassignment, hiding it from Bortus, their separation, his rejection of Topa when she transitioned back, the family's eventual reunion). Bortus' struggle to make the right choice as a loving husband and father. Bortus having the choice taken away from him. Topa lacking female role models.
These kinds of things are still very real issues that a lot of people don't think about unless presented to them on this way. These kinds of stories help people imagine how they might need to support their own children, families, and friends.
It's not really possible to compare Star Trek vs Orville because Trek is an entire franchise (even now there are 4.5 shows) and Orville is just one. But if I had to say of the current shows, which one does society need the most for social progress, I'd actually say Orville.
A lot of things that happen in season one set up or are referenced in season two. While you probably could get away with skipping season one, you'll miss out on context.
Rewatching S1 after S2 is pretty amazing, though.
But you can definitely just not watch the last season. It's basically disjointed from everything.