Designed to bring together leaders of the faith-based community of all denominations, The Empowerment Movement’s mission is to move the African- American community forward in politics, education and economics with the use of Christian principles.

by Sarah Breitenbach

BELTSVILLE, Md. (AP) —Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley signed into law March 1 a bill to legalize gay marriage, although some conservative opponents and religious leaders are counting on members of their congregations, especially in Black churches, to upend the legislation in a referendum at the polls this fall.

KEY VOTE—Rep. Tiffany Alston, D-Prince George’s, center, recites the pledge of allegiance before a debate on a gay marriage bill in Annapolis, Md., Feb. 17. Alston, who voted in favor of the bill after previously being opposed to it, offered an amendment that was accepted by the House, a move opponents suggested secured her vote. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)

“Religious freedom was the very reason for our state’s founding and at the heart of religious freedom is the freedom of individual conscience,” Gov. Martin O’Malley said before signing the legislation that made Maryland the eighth state in the U.S. to legalize gay marriage. The law takes effect in 2013.

Despite torrents of debate among African-Americans over the merits of the segregation-era movie “The Help,” most still hoped that Viola Davis, who plays a maid, would become just the second Black winner of the best actress Oscar.

ACTRESSES CELEBRATE—Guests pose for a photo at the Grey Goose pre-Oscar dinner hosted by Alfre Woodard honoring African-American women in film on Thursday, Feb. 23, in Los Angeles. (Casey Rodgers/AP Images for Grey Goose)

by Matt Gouras

HELENA, Mont. (AP)—An appellate court will conduct a judicial misconduct review of Montana’s chief federal judge, who sent an email to friends that contained a racist joke involving bestiality and President Barack Obama’s mother. The joke he forwarded questioned the parentage of President Barack Obama, indicating his mother was so drunk at the time of conception, that Obama is fortunate his father was not a dog.

UNDER FIRE—Chief Judge Richard F. Cebull makes a speech during a Naturalization Ceremony at the James F. Battin Federal Courthouse on June 23, 2011. Cebull is under fire for a racist email he forwarded to six friends from his work computer. (AP Photo/Billings Gazette, James Woodcock)

Judge Richard Cebull also plans to send Obama a formal apology, but that has not stopped calls for the judge’s resignation.

“If he has any respect for his office and for ideals of equality and human dignity on which our country was founded, Judge Cebull will step down today,” said Bob Edgar, the president and chief executive of Common Cause.