It was encouraging to see Congress repeal the Don't Ask Don't Tell policy that encouraged gay service members to hide their sexuality in order to serve. This is the first federal step towards equality for the LGBT community that comes to mind. I was surprised it passed, actually, given the results of the election in Iowa - I assumed Congress would be too timid.
The end of DADT is fairly significant when one remembers that President Truman ended racial segregation as policy in the armed forces in 1948 — six years before Brown V Board of Education.
Of course, maybe after the champagne has worn off, one needs to remember that progress isn't linear.