NEW YORK -- Reflecting back on what has been a banner year for the LGBT community, Lambda Legal has released its "State of the Law 2011," the organization's annual wrap-up of progress in LGBT rights.

The publication also includes a tip sheet of what is likely to come for the movement in 2012.

Highlights for the year include:

- Passage of marriage equality legislation in New York, the sixth state - plus the District of Columbia - to allow same-sex couples to legally marry

WASHINGTON -- Petty Officer 2nd Class Jase Daniels, discharged from the U.S. Navy in April 2005 and again in March 2007 because of the military's former "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" (DADT) policy, has been reinstated and will return to active as a linguist, Servicemembers Legal Defense Network (SLDN) says.

Daniels was sworn in today.

SAN DIEGO -- As part of its commitment to provide care packages for active duty military personnel, Servicemembers United (SU) operates the "SU Gives Back" program.

The organization's next care package drive will take place on Thursday, Dec. 8, from 7:30 to 9 pm at Bourbon Street Bar & Grill.

WASHINGTON -- To expedite the ruling in its case seeking equal recognition, benefits and family support for current and former servicemembers who have equally sacrificed and served in the U.S. armed forces, Servicemembers Legal Defense Network (SLDN) late Tuesday filed a motion for summary judgment in its case McLaughlin v. U.S.

SLDN originally filed the case in October with co-counsel Chadbourne & Parke.