Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti pledges to protect transgender people's rights

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- A rally was held outside Los Angeles City Hall Monday to launch the Transform California campaign, which aims to promote awareness about transgender issues and challenges across the state.

The mayor says the coalition, which was founded by Equality California and the Transgender Law Center, can really help those who face discrimination because of their gender identity.

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

The coalition will hold rallies around the state that include civil rights groups, members of the business community and elected officials.

Garcetti also signed a pledge to oppose any discrimination against transgender people in the state.

Gary Toebben, president of the L.A. Area Chamber of Commerce, and state Senate President pro Tem Kevin de Leon, D-Los Angeles, have also signed the pledge.

City News Service contributed to this report