My first reaction to the headline is “Of course another closeted Republican.”
But after reading it, this story is nothing but sad.

Kagi AI summary:

F.L. Bubba Copeland, the mayor of Smiths Station, Alabama and a Baptist pastor, died by suicide after a right-wing site published photos of him dressed as a woman. The site also revealed his online persona where he posted about transitioning genders. Though he asked the site not to publicly out him, they did so anyway. His church condemned his behavior as unbiblical. In his last sermon, Copeland acknowledged embarrassing photos but said his life would not change. When police later attempted a welfare check, Copeland took his own life in front of them. The superintendent, who was a friend, expressed anger at those who ridiculed Copeland, questioning if they were proud of driving him to suicide. Copeland’s church and community mourned his death and supported his family.