Alabama Pastor 'Outed' by Right-Wing Website Kills Himself

An Alabama mayor and pastor has died by suicide, authorities said, days after a conservative news blog published photos of him dressed in women's clothing and alleged he was leading a secret life as a transgender woman.

F.L. "Bubba" Copeland, the mayor of Smiths Station and pastor at the First Baptist Church of Phenix City, "took his own life" on Friday evening, said Lee County Sheriff Jay Jones, according to AL.com.

The sheriff's office said it received a request for a welfare check on Copeland at around 4:15 p.m. on Friday.

Deputies located Copeland driving in Beulah, around 15 miles north of Smiths Station, the sheriff's office said.

After a slow pursuit, Copeland pulled over, "exited the vehicle, produced a handgun and took his own life," the sheriff's office said.#

Copeland's death came after 1819 News on Wednesday published photos of Copeland wearing women's clothing, and alleged the pastor was leading a secret life as a transgender woman.

The article reported that Copeland operated social media accounts identifying as a "Transitioning Transgender Curvy Girl," and shared self-authored transgender fiction and erotica online.

Copeland told 1819 News in an interview that the posts were a "hobby" and a "fantasy," adding that the persona was "a fictional character I made up to relieve stress" and the erotica was "purely fiction." Copeland deleted the accounts and requested they not be made public, citing his family and position as a pastor.

The sheriff's department has made no connection between the article and Copeland's suicide and there is no evidence that it was a factor in his death.

Copeland addressed the article during a statement delivered at a church service on Wednesday evening.

"I've been an object of an internet attack in an article that was written about my capacity as a mayor and my capacity as a pastor," he said.

"The article is not who or what I am," Copeland said.

"Yes, I have taken pictures with my wife in the privacy of our home in an attempt at humor because I know I'm not a handsome man or a beautiful woman either.

"I apologize for any embarrassment caused by my private and personal life that has become public. This will not cause my life to change. This will not waver my devotion to my family, to serving my city, and serving my church."

Copeland added: "I'm thankful for the grace of God and willingness to forgive. I have nothing to be ashamed of. A lot of things that were said were taken out of context."

Some took to social media to share their anger at the circumstances around Copeland's death.

"This pastor committed suicide not too far from here today," Dr. Kevin Young, a pastor, wrote in a post on X, formerly Twitter. "We must end LGBTQ+ persecution."

Kyle Whitmire, a columnist for AL.com, wrote: "This didn't have to happen. After @1819News published pictures of Smith Station Mayor Bubba Copeland wearing women's clothes and makeup, the official took his own life."

In a Facebook post on Saturday, the First Baptist Church of Phenix City wrote: "Thank you all for your prayers and expressions of sympathy and support. First and foremost, we ask that you keep Pastor Bubba Copeland's family in your prayers today, and in the days ahead."

Newsweek has contacted the Lee County Sheriff's Office and the church for further comment.

If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988, texting "988" to the Crisis Text Line at 741741 or go to 988lifeline.org.