August 8, 2025 #1 Local News, Information and Event Source for the Century City/Westwood areas.

Mayor Eric Garcetti Signed Pledge To Protect Rights Of Trans People

Seal_of_Los_Angeles_County,_CaliforniaMayor Eric Garcetti signed a pledge saying he will work to protect the rights of transgender people as a member of a coalition promoting awareness about transgender issues and challenges across the state.

“Our tax dollars won’t fund intolerance here,” he said at a rally outside Los Angeles City Hall to launch the Transform California campaign to oppose discriminatory practices against transgender people.

The Transform California coalition — founded by the Equality California and the Transgender Law Center — will hold rallies around the state that include participation by civil rights groups, members of the business community and elected officials.

Other local leaders who have signed up to the pledge include Gary Toebben, president of the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce, and state Senate President pro Tempore Kevin de Leon, D-Los Angeles, who was not at today’s event.

The coalition was formed in response to violence faced by transgender people around the state, and comes as a law was adopted in North Carolina that includes restrictions against people using bathrooms with gender labels differing with what was designated on their birth certificates.

“I am so excited that we are going to be a city that not only rolls back the hatred in other places, but to make sure that nobody lives with the threat of harassment, or intimidation or assault,” Garcetti said.

Garcetti recently supported a City Council ban on non-essential travel to the states of North Carolina and Mississippi until laws in those states discriminating against gay and transgender people are repealed.

He said today that other steps are being taken in Los Angeles, including with “our bathrooms in our Rec and Parks facilities — our single bathrooms will now move forward and say ‘gender neutral’ because there shouldn’t have to be a segregation of options based on your identity.”

Garcetti and other speakers pointed to recent violence against transgender people, including an incident in which a transgender teenager was allegedly run over by the driver of a car in Monterey Park, and the fatal shooting of a transgender woman, Quartney Yochum, in Skid Row last month.

He added that in addition to transgender people being the target of violence, “there is something wrong with society” when there are statistics showing more than 75 percent of transgender people contemplate suicide.

“Nobody should hate themselves, nobody should consider taking their own lives, and today we will save lives we will never be able to count just by speaking up and standing up together,” he said.

One of the speakers at today’s rally was Pasadena Jewish Temple and Center Rabbi Becky Silverstein, considered one of the first rabbis in the Jewish religion’s Conservative movement who has identified as transgender.

He said it was important for people not to have to choose between their faith and their gender or sexual identity.

People who are gay or identify as transgender in the faith community often face “pain and alienation and separation, fear and shame,” Silverstein siad.

But he noted that “at the core of most, if not all faith traditions, there are a set of common values that drive how we interact with each other,” including maxims such as “respect for God’s creations … love your fellow as you love yourself … the idea that we are all created in the image of the divine.”

“As a rabbi, I have made the decision to be out and proud about my transgender identity,” Silverstein said. “I have made the decision to be a role model, and to use my story, my body, my life as a tool for greater understanding, education and action.”

Other transgender leaders at today’s rally — which featured written signs in Spanish and Chinese — include amateur boxer Pat Manuel, actress and activist Maria Roman, youth activist Shear Avory and Transgender Law Center Executive Director Kris Hayashi.

 

Related Posts

Full Moon Frights at Cinespia: Vampires, Werewolves, and a Night Under the Stars

August 8, 2025

August 8, 2025

Double Feature Coincides With Rare Celestial Triple Event Cinespia invites fans of horror comedy classics will gather under the glow...

Xenomorphs Hit Hollywood: FX Launches Global ‘Alien: Earth’ Hunt Ahead of Series Premiere

August 8, 2025

August 8, 2025

Fans Can Track “Crash-Site” Crates in LA for Instant Prizes, Photo Ops, and Sweepstakes FX is bringing the world of...

Glorya Kaufman, Dance, Arts and Health Philanthropist Who Transformed L.A.’s Landscape, Dies at 95

August 8, 2025

August 8, 2025

From Culver City, Brentwood, UCLA, USC, and Downtown LA, Her Generosity was Legendary Glorya Kaufman, a transformative benefactor to the...

Overnight Lane Closures Set for I-405 Through Sepulveda Pass Next Week

August 7, 2025

August 7, 2025

Caltrans to Close Multiple Northbound and Southbound Lanes Nightly  Caltrans will implement overnight lane closures along Interstate 405 in the...

Levain Bakery Lands in Beverly Hills with Cookies, Swag, and a Sweet Surprise

August 7, 2025

August 7, 2025

Newest Location’s Debut Includes Limited-Edition Flavor, Early-Bird Giveaways Levain Bakery will mark the opening of its newest location in Beverly...

Bistro Blue’s One Night Only Seasonal Menu Pops Up at Little City Farms August 10

August 6, 2025

August 6, 2025

Chef Kara Vorabutr’s Garden Dinner Promises to be a Seasonal Showstopper Bistro Blue, a pop-up concept by Chef Kara Vorabutr,...

Cardinale du Vin’s Weekend Izakaya Pop-Up Blends Thai Flavors and Japanese Dishes

August 6, 2025

August 6, 2025

Three Nights Only: Thai-Japanese Fusion Menu Launched in Pico-Robertson Cardinale du Vin is unveiling a special izakaya-inspired menu this weekend,...

Santa Monica’s Chez Jay Celebrates 66 Years with Retro Bash by the Beach

August 6, 2025

August 6, 2025

Landmark Restaurant Celebrates With Classic Cars, Live Music, Celebrity Lore One of Los Angeles County’s most storied restaurants will mark...

Film Review: Weapons

August 6, 2025

August 6, 2025

By Dolores Quintana You might be asking yourself what the film Weapons is about. Not to worry, writer and director...

Classic Rock Tribute Takes Center Stage at Beverly Hills Summer Series, Concerts on Canon

August 5, 2025

August 5, 2025

Rod Lightning and the Thunderbolts of Love Bring High-Energy Hits to the Stage The City of Beverly Hills continues its...

Trial Date Set for Alleged ‘Ketamine Queen’ in Matthew Perry’s Death

August 5, 2025

August 5, 2025

Woman Accused in Matthew Perry’s Overdose to Face Jury The woman accused of supplying the fatal dose of ketamine that...

DUI Suspect Identified and Charged in Crash That Killed 9-Year-Old, Injured Brother

August 5, 2025

August 5, 2025

RV Driver to Face Serious Felony Charges After Striking Boys Riding E-Scooter The 46-year-old man who was allegedly driving under...

Late-Night Traffic Stop in L.A. Lands Rap Star Soulja Boy Back in Legal Spotlight

August 5, 2025

August 5, 2025

Rapper Taken Into Custody During Early Morning Traffic Stop Rapper Soulja Boy was taken into custody early Sunday after Los...

Deadly Crosswalk Hit and Run in West Adams, Victim Hit Multiple Times and Left to Die

August 4, 2025

August 4, 2025

Police Seek Public Help to Identify Three Drivers Who Struck and Killed a Pedestrian  Detectives with the Los Angeles Police...

Brentwood Bookstore Welcomes a Hollywood Insider and Secret Service Agent for a Night of Noir

August 4, 2025

August 4, 2025

Tinseltown Thrills Meet Real-Life Intrigue With Author of To Live and Die in LA Diesel, A Bookstore will host a...