Alabama Mayor Kills Self After Right-Wing Blog Outs His Cross-Dressing

[Auburn85 434]

https://www.thedailybeast.com/alabama-mayor-bubba-copeland-kills-self-after-right-wing-1819-news-outs-his-cross-dressing

 

Quote

 

Nov. 4

 

A small-town Alabama pastor and mayor killed himself Friday, days after a local conservative news website published a story that included photos of him wearing women’s clothing and makeup.

F.L. “Bubba” Copeland, who was the mayor of Smiths Station and the pastor at First Baptist Church in Phenix City, shot himself in front of police during a welfare check, the Lee County Sheriff’s Office said.

Copeland’s private life was exposed Wednesday by the conservative blog 1819 News, which was once owned by the right-wing Alabama Policy Institute and whose top editor is a former Breitbart News contributor.

That post, written by Craig Monger, had the rambling headline: The secret life of Smiths Station Mayor and Baptist pastor F.L. ‘Bubba’ Copeland as a ‘transgender curvy girl’: ‘It’s a hobby I do to relieve stress’.

 

1819 News published the username to Copeland’s Reddit and Instagram accounts, writing that he posed “in various outfits, some more racy than others.” The blog also said that Copeland used the pseudonym “Brittini Blaire Summerlin” and posted pornography and advice on chemically transitioning.

If you or a loved one are struggling with suicidal thoughts, please reach out to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline by dialing or texting 988.

The blog reported that Copeland, a Republican, confirmed that the accounts were run by him, saying they were a “hobby” he used for “getting rid of stress.” 1819 News reported that Copeland asked them to not out him, but they did so anyway, even though it does not appear he had taken any public positions against LGBTQ issues that could be construed as hypocritical.

1819 News published a short article on Friday without a byline to report Copeland’s suicide.

Copeland was elected to be mayor of Smiths Station, a town of about 5,000 near the Georgia state line, in 2016. He was thrust into the national spotlight in 2019 when a string of tornadoes ravaged the area and then-President Donald Trump visited. Copeland was photographed with Trump and used the picture to campaign for re-election in 2020.

 

Bubba Copeland meets with President Donald Trump in 2019 after a string of tornadoes ravaged his region of Alabama.

Office of Mayor Bubba Copeland

Copeland’s extracurricular activities quickly turned into a community-wide controversy. His church referred to “unbiblical behavior” in a statement, and Copeland reportedly told his parishioners that the article did not represent “who or what I am.” He added that it would “not cause my life to change.”

“This will not waver my devotion to my family, serving my city, serving my church,” Copeland said Wednesday before giving his final sermon, which was live streamed online.

Copeland, who was married, said he was the subject of an “internet attack.” He added that “a lot of things were taken out of context” and that “hundreds and hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of people” had reached out to offer their support for him.

“Yes, I have taken pictures with my wife in the privacy of our home in an attempt of humor because I know I’m not a handsome man nor a beautiful woman, either,” he said. “I apologize for any embarrassment caused by my private, personal life.”

The uproar took a tragic turn on Friday, when Lee County Sheriff Jay Jones said that deputies who tried to pull Copeland over for a welfare check witnessed Copeland step out of his car and shoot himself.

A First Baptist Church of Phenix City official referred The Daily Beast to a statement posted to the church’s Facebook page on Saturday morning. The church changed its profile and cover photo to be black and white, seemingly to honor Copeland.

“Thank you all for your prayers and expressions of sympathy and support,” the church wrote. “First and foremost, we ask that you keep Pastor Bubba Copeland’s family in your prayers today, and in the days ahead.”

Defending his reporting on X, formerly Twitter, Monger responded to a since-deleted tweet saying, “‘Digging up someone’s personal life’ is reporting on what someone posts publicly on social media? Interesting take.”

In a separate post responding to criticism, Monger wrote, “Pictures posted to Reddit are now considered ‘private,’ according to the kiddy table of Alabama media.”

Monger has not posted since Copeland’s suicide.

Phenix City School Superintendent Larry DiChiara, who said he was an old friend of Copeland, shared his anger and heartbreak in a Facebook post.

 

 

[AUDub 11,424]

It’s a shame the article was published. Wish I could have given them a hug before they elected to end it all. 

[TexasTiger 13,556]

Tragic. 

[DKW 86 7,726]

Poor guy. 

[CoffeeTiger 5,523]

Looks like this website was using this story as one of their breakout investigative pieces. They wrote multiple articles about him over the course of last week and seemingly contacted everyone this guy knew or was connected to to try and get their reactions on this guys lifestyle. 

https://1819news.com/news/item/the-secret-life-of-smiths-station-mayor-and-baptist-pastor-f.l.-bubba-copeland-as-a-transgender-curvy-girl-its-a-hobby-i-do-to-relieve-stress

https://1819news.com/news/item/to-say-i-was-a-stalker-would-be-a-bit-of-an-understatement-curvy-transgender-smiths-station-mayor-copeland-wrote-fiction-about-murdering-real-life-local-businesswoman-assuming-her-identity

https://1819news.com/news/item/smiths-station-mayor-and-pastor-bubba-copeland-downplays-explicit-social-media-persona-i-have-nothing-to-be-ashamed-of

https://1819news.com/news/item/alabama-baptist-leadership-responds-to-smiths-station-pastors-transgender-persona-we-pray-for-the-pastor-and-his-family

 

 

 

Edited November 6, 2023 by CoffeeTiger

[AU9377 5,575]

Straddling the fence in a dress with get your balls snagged every time. 

It is profoundly unfortunate that the man felt that he had no choice but to end his life.  It should be an example of how elevating social issues is dangerous.

[WillMunny 1,445]

Above all else, pastors must live their lives transparently, and be an open example to their congregation.  Being the pastor of a Christian church, I'm sure many of his congregation felt betrayed.

[Auburn85 434]

https://www.wtvm.com/2023/11/07/community-reaction-following-mayor-bubba-copeland-controversy-death/

 

 

Quote

 

Community reaction following Mayor Bubba Copeland controversy, death

 

Nov 7

SMITHS STATION, Ala. (WTVM) -The city of Smiths Station and communities nearby are mourning the loss of Mayor Bubba Copeland, but at least two women are grappling with a mix of emotions including feeling they have been victimized.

Copeland took his life in Lee County on Friday, Nov. 3, in the midst of controversy surrounding online posts.

Flowers and notes of remembrance could be found outside the entrance to Smiths Station City Hall on Nov. 6 in memory of Copeland.

Copeland took his life following a chase involving Lee County Sheriff’s deputies. Lee County Sheriff Jay Jones explained what happened after his deputies attempted a welfare check.

“An attempt was made to pull the vehicle over, to get him to stop. There was a pursuit, low speed. A pursuit that lasted approximately two minutes. At the end of that period, he pulled over on the side of the road, exited his vehicle, he had a handgun, and at that point, he took his life,” said Jones.

The incident happened days after an online report from 1819 News, shared photos of Copeland dressed as a woman and reports that he featured local women as the subjects of online fiction.

Ansley Summerlin said she was shocked to find out her name and photos had been posted online without her permission.

“I had some people start sending me photos that were posted of me on multiple porn sites, I guess you could say, that also had pictures of Brittini, as well. He proceeded to use my first and middle name on these sites, and I believe there are about nine sites now that I have about 5 or 6 photos of my face and my name across the internet,” she said.

An employee of a local hair salon in Smiths Station did not want to be identified, but said her name was used without her knowledge in an online story she believes was written by Copeland.

“It said my first and last name, and it was basically describing the way that I look, and then, intensified, I guess, as a porn star, and it went into very graphic detail. I didn’t get past the first page, because I honestly couldn’t stomach it,” she said.

Jones said the facts and evidence will be given to the Lee County District Attorney and all the facts will be laid before a grand jury for review.

“We’re going through our standard process in that investigation. We will gather all the facts available and evidence that we have. That will be presented to the District Attorney and a Lee County Grand Jury will review all the details of this investigation at a future date,” he said.

A public visitation will be held on Nov. 8 at Vance Brooks Funeral Home in Phenix City. The funeral will be held Thursday at First Baptist Church of Phenix City at 3 p.m. EST.

 

 

[WillMunny 1,445]

I don't know why they refer to the 1819 News as "right-wing".  By that token, they should refer to the mainstream news as "left-wing", because it's way left of center.

Edited November 8, 2023 by WillMunny

[SaltyTiger 8,240]

4 hours ago, WillMunny said:

I don't know why they refer to the 1819 News as "right-wing".  By that token, they should refer to the mainstream news as "left-wing", because it's way left of center.

Sure 1819 is right leaning. Never heard of them until this report. The “rest of the story” clears things up a bit. Still very sad and tragic. 
Listened to an interview from March when Copeland eluded to suicide and social media being a big community problem. Maybe he knew what would eventually happen. 

[homersapien 11,812]

On 11/8/2023 at 4:58 PM, WillMunny said:

I don't know why they refer to the 1819 News as "right-wing".  By that token, they should refer to the mainstream news as "left-wing", because it's way left of center.

Seriously?

[WillMunny 1,445]

Just now, homersapien said:

Seriously?

The mainstream media is left of center, yes.

I haven't been around AU Family very long, even less in the Politburo section.  But I've learned that nobody is anybody until they've been facepalmed by you.

That's a compliment.

[homersapien 11,812]

s

10 minutes ago, WillMunny said:

The mainstream media is left of center, yes.

I haven't been around AU Family very long, even less in the Politburo section.  But I've learned that nobody is anybody until they've been facepalmed by you.

That's a compliment.

Well, the actual issue was whether or not 1819 is a right wing publication, which it is.  As for "mainstream" media, they reflect reality - which undoubtedly - in your mind - is "left of center".    But that's not the media's fault, it's yours.

Finally, I only "face slap" obviously erroneous or ignorant posts.  So it's good you consider it a compliment; with your sensibilities, you will undoubtedly earn many more.  

Edited November 10, 2023 by homersapien

[WillMunny 1,445]

7 minutes ago, homersapien said:

s

Well, the actual issue was whether or not 1819 is a right wing publication, which it is.  As for "mainstream" media, they reflect reality - which undoubtedly - in your mind - is "left of center".    But that's not the media's fault, it's yours.

Finally, I only "face slap" obviously erroneous or ignorant posts.  So it's good you consider it a compliment; with your sensibilities, you will undoubtedly earn many more.  

It's as far right as HuffPost and the DailyBeast are left.  And both are featured daily on Yahoo's main feed.

And BTW, it's "facepalm", not "face slap".

Edited November 10, 2023 by WillMunny

[icanthearyou 4,468]

19 hours ago, WillMunny said:

But I've learned that nobody is anybody until they've been facepalmed by you.

Congrats on your inhumane, idiot badge.  You deserve it!

[WillMunny 1,445]

38 minutes ago, icanthearyou said:

Congrats on your inhumane, idiot badge.  You deserve it!

You and your accomplice are one of the reasons I don't post here often.  You create mud holes and invite people to get in them with you, by your name-calling and personal insults.  The bad thing about it is you two sometimes make sense, but invalidate your credibility by name-calling.

I thought this place was a family forum, devoid of such childishness.  I have liberal friends further left than Barbara Streisand who can talk and debate without the childish baggage.  It seems you just want to argue.

WDE