F.L. “Bubba” Copeland, who served as the mayor of Smiths Station, Alabama, and was also the pastor at First Baptist Church in Phenix City, tragically took his own life just two days after his secret online life was exposed. Copeland was discovered to be leading a hidden online existence as “transgender curvy girl” Brittini Blaire Summerlin.
The exposé about Copeland’s online activities was published by 1819 News, a news outlet formerly associated with the conservative think tank, the Alabama Policy Institute. Copeland had described his online persona as a “transitioning transgender curvy girl” who shared images of himself in women’s attire and lingerie. He also posted transgender-themed fiction and erotica, in addition to pornography. The report included details of Copeland posing in some of his wife’s clothing.
In response to the exposé, Copeland delivered a sermon in which he referred to the online material as an “attempt at humor.” He expressed regret for any embarrassment caused by the revelation of his private online life but emphasized that it had no bearing on his roles as mayor and pastor.
Unfortunately, Copeland’s suicide came just days after the exposé was published. Following a welfare check request, law enforcement officers began following his car, leading to his tragic decision to take his own life.
F.L. Copeland’s death has left the Smiths Station community in mourning. He was a married father of three who had been a respected figure in the area. Copeland had previously led his community through recovery efforts following a devastating tornado in 2019, and he had the opportunity to meet with then-President Donald Trump during the response efforts.
Despite the personal challenges he faced, Copeland had continued to fulfill his responsibilities as mayor and pastor until his untimely death. His loss has had a profound impact on those who knew him, and the community is left to grapple with this tragic event.
