Photograph: Sarah Palczewski/AP Alabama city mourns mayor who committed suicide after far-right blog exposed him
1819 News published images of Florida “Bubba” Copeland of Smiths Station dressing up as a woman to complement his erotic works.
A small Alabama town has expressed grief and outrage over the death of its beloved mayor, who died by suicide after facing intense online harassment when a far-right website published photos of him in women's clothing and wigs.
Florida Mayor ” Bubba” Copeland, 49, of Smiths Station in eastern Alabama, took his own life Nov. 3. Local police were attempting to check on his health at the time, the Lee County Sheriff's Office said in a statement.
“We lost a good man in a very senseless and tragic way. The community is upset about this,” said Larry DiChiara, a former Phenix City schools superintendent who has known Copeland for nearly 20 years, adding, “He's a hard man to replace.”
During a service last Sunday, First Baptist Church member David White shared remarks about the passing of Copeland, who was also a pastor there.
“Despite what may have been implied in the media, the members of this church were steadfast in their love and care for their pastor,” White said in a recording of the service.
“I know that my friend Bubba Copeland loved this church and its people,” he added.
Copeland was buried three days ago, with community members praising his “heart of gold.”
Many died before his death. Concerns for Copeland's well-being came after the far-right website 1819 News in Alabama published images of Copeland wearing makeup and women's clothing, as well as excerpts from erotic fiction written by Copeland.
1819 News also published screenshots of social media accounts used by Copeland, in which Copeland identified himself as a transgender woman. Copeland, who is married to a woman and has children, confirmed he kept accounts but said he dressed as a hobby to relieve stress.
Copeland specifically asked 1819. News does not publish such information.
The Guardian contacted several members of the 1819 News editorial team but received no response.
Copeland addressed these articles in his last sermon.
“I apologize for any confusion caused in my private and personal life,” Copeland addressed the church congregation.
< p class="dcr-1kas69x">“I have nothing to be ashamed of. “A lot of things were taken out of context,” he added.
There is no record of Copeland preaching any hypocritical anti-LGBTQ+ messages, the Los Angeles newspaper reported Blade.< /p>
Community members described Copeland as a compassionate and dedicated leader.
I can tell you that most people here loved Mayor Copeland and would like to see him was still here. Larry DiChiara
First Baptist Church published a eulogy for Copeland, highlighting his long history of service in Lee County.
“[Above all] in addition to serving his church, city and community, Bubba loved spending time with his family,” the church said.
Former Alabama Democratic U.S. Senator Doug Jones praised Copeland's leadership and friendship in a post via X, formally known as Twitter.< /p>
“He was a good man and a great mayor who led a small town. The city of Smith Station had a tough time with a devastating tornado several years ago,” Jones said, referring to the 2019 tornado that killed 23 people in Lee County.
Copeland was also one of the few officials to support local pride events as Alabama continues to pass anti-LGBTQ+ laws, the Associated Press reported.
Chad Peacock, a former resident of Auburn, Alabama, told the AP that he believes the anti-LGBTQ+ environment in Alabama played a role in Copeland's death.
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“You must meet the requirements. You can be who you are, but you should be ashamed of who you are if you are different from others,” Peacock said.
Many also expressed outrage regarding details of Copeland's private life being made public without his consent, as well as the intense persecution Copeland faced before his death.
DiChiara reached out to Copeland after the 1819 news article and offered support after people online and within the community ridiculed him, including spreading false rumors.
“It got very personal . Very vindictive. I'm sure at the time they didn't think it would lead to suicide, but it ended up that way,” DiChiara said.
Other mourners shared similar sentiments. thoughts.
“He did not commit suicide, he was killed by the verdict of people who should have loved and supported him and trusted his heart,” says a comment on the church’s Facebook page.
Jones also condemned 1819 News in a statement, adding that it was “sad and disgusting” to see how the conservative blog treated Copeland.
“We live in an average, bitter world , where complacent people tend to throw the biggest stones, and [News of 1819] is a perfect example,” Jones said.
The latest incident sheds light on the consequences of disclosing personal data about someone's life.
Sam Lau of the LGBTQ+ rights group Human Rights Campaign, said that “coming out”, which exposes a person's private life without their consent, constantly puts people at risk, whether they identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender or not. queer or other demographic group.
“Regardless of whether a person identifies as part of the LGTBQ+ community, this country has a long history of trying to force public figures against their will, and it has consistently caused harm: being forced into the streets is a direct attempt to endanger the person who is being kicked out,” Lau said.
DiChiara emphasized that Smiths Station loved Copeland.
“I can tell you that most of the people here loved Mayor Copeland and wish he was still here,” DiChiara said.
“They don’t care whether he wears high heels or wears football boots. We do not care. He was a good person and definitely didn't deserve to be bullied until he committed suicide,” he said.
The Associated Press contributed reporting
In the US, you can call or text the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988, chat at 988lifeline.org, or send text HOME to 741741 to connect with a crisis counselor. In the UK and Ireland, Samaritans can be contacted freephone 116 123 or by email at jo@samaritans.org or jo@samaritans.ie. In Australia, the Lifeline crisis support line is 13 11 14. Other international helplines can be found at befrienders.org
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