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By Aliss Higham
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A right-wing news website has published an op-ed defending itself after it exposed an Alabama pastor's transgender alter ego.
F.L. "Bubba" Copeland, 49, was the mayor of Smiths Station, a city of 5,300 near the Georgia border, and was pastor at First Baptist Church in nearby Phenix City, Alabama. He died by suicide two days after an expose by Alabama news site 1819, which said Copeland posted online as a transgender woman.
Lee County Sheriff's Office has said it does not have evidence that the publication of the article was a factor in Copeland's death. An investigation remains ongoing. Any quotes contained in this article do not reflect the view of Newsweek and are entirely of the viewpoint of the 1819 author, Jennifer Oliver O'Connell.
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In its original article, the outlet published images of Copeland wearing women's clothing, and said the pastor was leading a secret life as a transgender woman. The article added that Copeland used secret social-media accounts identifying as a "Transitioning Transgender Curvy Girl," and shared transgender fiction and erotica that he had written himself online.
The outlet spoke with Copeland, saying he confirmed that he was the person in the pictures and the manager of the accounts. He said he used them to get rid of stress and described it as a hobby and a fantasy. The article also includes a plea from Copeland not to publish the accounts he was using.
Copeland then addressed the article during a statement delivered at a church service afterwards. "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 added: "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."
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In the response piece from 1819, published on Saturday, November 11, Jennifer Oliver O'Connell, whom the website describes as an investigative journalist, wrote that Copeland was a "very sick man." She added: "It seems Copeland never heard the mantra of Alcoholics Anonymous: You're only as sick as your secrets."
O'Connell also likened Copeland's activities to a viral infection and wrote that he encouraged "a lifestyle that, according to the tenets of his Baptist faith, is neither recognized nor approved."
O'Connell added that the 1819 expose was responsible journalism. She also wrote, without presented evidence, that Copeland's "choices brought harm to the people he was supposed to protect. Copeland chose to take on very public roles and positions of trust within the community, perhaps even with the aim of stalking women to support his predilections and fetishes."
Newsweek has found no evidence that Copeland harmed or stalked women, and has contacted 1819 via email to clarify the claim.
The outlet has drawn considerable ire from LGBTQ+ activists, allies and friends of Copeland for publishing the article, which only intensified following the pastor's death earlier this month.
Josh Encinias, posted on X, formerly Twitter, saying he went to Christian college with Copeland. He described 1819 as monsters, writing: "Just today I learned about a fourth gay person from my Christian college who committed suicide. The Evangelical mind is rigid, abstract, authoritarian, and leaves the dead in its wake."
Dr. Kevin M. Young, who describes himself as post-evangelical, posted pictures of Copeland with the text: "This pastor committed suicide not too far from here today. We must end LGBTQ+ persecution."
Copeland's son said at his father's funeral, per a report by AL.com, an Alabama news outlet: "Dad, I want you to know my world always has and will always begin with you and end with you. Regardless of the hate, I will respond with love."
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.
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