At approximately 2:40 AM on Wednesday September 3, 2025, Lev Goldberg made history by becoming the first openly transgender person to swim across any of the Great Lakes. After 24 hours and 25 minutes in the water, Lev reached the shore at Marilyn Bell Park in Toronto, completing the 51-kilometre crossing of Lake Ontario.
The swim, part of the “51km for Trans Visibility” campaign, was not just a test of endurance but a celebration of inclusion, representation, and belonging for transgender people in outdoor sports and athletics.
The campaign is raising funds both to cover the costs of the crossing and, once those are met, to benefit LGBT YouthLine, a peer support organization for 2SLGBTQ+ youth across Ontario. With the Lake Ontario swim now complete, Lev has set his sights on an even greater challenge: becoming the first man to swim across all five Great Lakes.
Lev is resting today. Media inquiries and interview requests should be directed to:
Media Contact
Elyse Goldberg
lev.swims.lakes@gmail.com
How to Support
Donations toward Lev’s fundraising campaign can be made at GoFundMe: 51km for Trans Visibility. Every dollar helps ensure that costs are covered and that surplus funds go directly to supporting 2SLGBTQ+ youth through LGBT YouthLine.
About Lev Goldberg
Lev Goldberg is a long-distance swimmer, community advocate, and trailblazer for transgender visibility in sport. His endurance swims combine athletic achievement with a mission: to create more inclusive and affirming spaces for trans people in outdoor and competitive athletics.
About LGBT YouthLine
LGBT YouthLine is a youth-led organization offering peer support, resources, and leadership opportunities to 2SLGBTQ+ youth across Ontario. Learn more at www.youthline.ca.