The Revelation of an Alter Ego:
F.L. ‘Bubba’ Copeland, 62, took his own life after details of his ‘alter ego’ Brittini Blaire Summerlin were shared online.
This revelation involved him posting photos of himself in women’s clothing, engaging with trans-related content, and writing erotic fiction about transitioning.
Conservative Website’s Exposé:
A conservative news site exposed Copeland’s ‘hobby,’ leading to public scrutiny. The father-of-three addressed the issue, characterizing it as an ‘internet attack’ and emphasizing that it wouldn’t alter his life’s trajectory.
Tragic End:
Despite his statements, Copeland tragically ended his life with a self-inflicted gunshot wound following a slow pursuit by the police, who were conducting a welfare check.
Community Mourning:
The First Baptist Church of Phenix City mourned Copeland’s passing, changing their Facebook profile picture to a black ribbon.
Images revealed him dressed in women’s clothing, and excerpts of his writings contained disturbing content.
Concerns Raised:
The conservative news site also reported that Copeland had posted photos of minors on Reddit in a context related to transitioning, further raising concerns.
Apology to Congregation:
Copeland issued an apology to his congregation, revealing that his wife was aware of his activities. He explained that some of the photos taken with his wife were meant to be humorous.
Denominational Response:
The Southern Baptist Convention, no longer affiliated with Copeland’s parish, received allegations of ‘unbiblical behavior.’
However, the Alabama Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, to which Copeland’s church belonged, saw it as a matter between the pastor and the church.
Lack of Publicly Espoused Views:
Despite differing attitudes towards LGBTQ issues within the Baptist denomination, Copeland did not appear to have publicly espoused anti-LGBTQ or right-wing conservative views.
Reflecting on the Tragedy:
Following Copeland’s death, a church member emphasized the need for compassion and accountability while addressing the situation.
The article concludes with an acknowledgment of the complexity of the circumstances surrounding the mayor and pastor’s tragic end.