“I just want to ask you people who thought it humorous to publicly ridicule him. The disclosure bombarded Copeland, 49, with online ridicule and his death, experts said, underscores the dangers of outing people in an era that has seen the erosion of LGBTQ+ rights as states across the country introduce legislation based on sexual orientation and gender identity.Ĭopeland’s friends said they hope it prompts a wave of self-examination about how we treat others. Those were the same messages friends said they tried to get through to Copeland before he took his own life along one of those county roads two days after a conservative news site exposed social media posts where he appeared in women’s clothing, a wig and makeup. “You are worthy of love.” “Don’t give up.” “You matter.” “Bubba” Copeland helped students place roadside signs in his Alabama community to try to reach others who might be hurting. (AP) - After the 2019 suicide of a local teenager, small-town mayor and pastor F.L.
