Two-time World Championships winning curler Bruce Mouat and his boyfriend Craig Kyle | Craig KyleHot on the heels of their second World Curling Championships success, Team Mouat — led by out gay athlete Bruce Mouat — has unlocked another achievement.
They have become the first rink to ever win four events in a Grand Slam of Curling series, which includes all the “majors” in the sport.
Mouat, Grant Hardie, Bobby Lammie and Hammy McMillan Jr. made history by clinching the Players Championship in Toronto at the weekend with a 6-5 victory in the final over Switzerland, sealed by their skip’s perfect shot on the final stone.
Towards the end of 2024, Mouat and his men had triumphed at the Tour Challenge, the Canadian Open and the National — the first three tournaments in the Grand Slam — to set themselves up for a truly special season.
However, the fourth event in the series — the Masters, held in January — saw Team Mouat beaten in the semifinals, with their Scottish rivals Team Whyte taking the trophy.
Yet buoyed by their world title, which also clinched an Olympic quota spot for Great Britain for Milano Cortina 2026, Team Mouat were able to finish the Grand Slam job in style at the Players.
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As gay athlete wins a second World Championship, his boyfriend is right there for a hug
Bruce Mouat has won his second World Championship in curling with Scotland, as he cements his legacy as an out gay champion.
By Cyd Zeigler
Overall, it’s a staggering success for Scottish curling, dominating the sport in front of Canadian crowds.
Mouat told Sportsnet: “There’s just too many emotions to try and figure it all out. It’s going to take me some time.”
‘Emotional’ watch for Bruce Mouat’s boyfriend
The 30-year-old is widely admired for his steely focus, but he recently opened up to show a more vulnerable side in an extended interview for the Grand Slam of Curling’s social channels.
Mouat was asked by reporter Devin Heroux about being an out gay athlete in elite sport; what he hopes his representation means to other LGBTQ people; and his relationship with his boyfriend, Craig Kyle.
The couple first connected on Tinder in 2020. It was during the 2022 Winter Olympics that Kyle came to wider attention when he was interviewed on live TV at a viewing party back home for the men’s curling gold-medal match, which Scotland lost to Sweden in Beijing.
A little over a year later, Kyle was able to be with Mouat in person as his boyfriend celebrated his first World Championships title, almost lifting him off the ice in excitement.
“Our relationship was still blossoming and it was pretty fresh,” says Mouat, reflecting on 2023.
“He knew I had a bit of fame I suppose over here [in Canada] but I don’t think he really understood what it was like, and he absolutely loved that people were coming up to him and knew who he was because of social media posts or whatever else that we might have shared together!
“But having him there was just incredible. He’s genuinely one of the most supportive people I’ve ever met and to have him just there to support me in whatever capacity I needed him for was really good.
“When we got the win, he was visibly emotional and he always tells me that I don’t cry. I always tell him that he cries enough for both of us!”
In the interview, Moaut also mentions the recognition from Outsports at the end of 2023 — “we got a lot of support” — and how he’s become more comfortable with his visibility.
“Growing up, I suppose I was aware that my life wasn’t maybe going to be as simple as what it could have been if I was straight,” he adds.
“But I think I’ve got to a point now where I’m happy with who I am, I’m confident to be myself and to just show the love that I have for the person that I want to be with.”
Speaking to Outsports, Kyle says it was “very emotional” for him to watch the interview.
“Curling is everything to Bruce so I’d never want to get in the way of anything or any opportunity,” he said.
“So the best thing to do is join in for the ride and to be at as many events as possible to watch him play.”
Kyle has recently set up Ignite Fitness, an online physical training and coaching consultation. The couple live together in Stirling, near Glasgow, and when schedules and travel allow, he can be seen (and heard) cheering on his boyfriend and the team from the stands.
He has also taken up curling in recent years and won a regional tournament last year.
“I’ve found a massive love for curling, I now play and want to do my best as well,” he adds. “I have to credit a lot of my ability to having now religiously watched Bruce for the last four years and I too am extremely grateful for everything he has helped me do. I just wish he’d let me in the team!”
Kyle says Team Mouat’s season has been “unbelievable” and is impressed with how the players have handled the pressure.
“They are clinical, determined and just winners,” he says. “It’s no secret that I’m very emotional and I find it extremely difficult to hide how proud I am. I tend not to use words — they just turn into tears.”
Although he had been out as gay within the curling community since his late teens, it was a couple of months before Beijing 2022 that Mouat came out more publicly, via an interview with the BBC. He was one of at least 36 out athletes named on Outsports’ Team LGBTQ roster for those Winter Games, 11 of whom were men.
His phenomenal success in a team sport means he is still rare as an out gay male athlete, and he admits the concept of being a responsible role model for the community — particularly LGBTQ youth — isn’t necessarily easy to grasp.
“That’s maybe what I struggle with the most, to understand what is my role now and to what end do I need to support these people.
“But I think it’s just living authentically and being able to show that there is a space for them within sport if they want it and it doesn’t have to be the elite level, it can literally be grassroots level.
“Just creating these environments where people are welcomed and supported, it’s so key.”
His curling season isn’t over yet. Next up is the World Mixed Doubles Championships in Fredericton, where he will again represent Scotland alongside playing partner Jen Dodds. They won the title together in 2021.
Despite all their silverware this season, he isn’t taking Team Mouat’s Olympic selection for granted, though it looks like a shoo-in. Confirmation of who will take the Team GB quota spot is expected next month.
Yet when pressed, Mouat’s ambition for Milano Cortina 2026 is clear: “We’re going to fight for every inch. We want that gold.”
Source: https://www.outsports.com/2025/4/14/24110191/bruce-mouat-craig-kyle-curling-players-championship-gay-lgbtq-love/
