Republican lawmakers in Utah’s legislature passed a law barring biological males from competing in girls’ sports last week, despite Gov. Spencer Cox’s effort to veto the measure. As you might imagine, not everyone is happy that people who were born as males will no longer be allowed to dominate women’s sports in the state. The Utah Jazz released a statement, doing the usual virtue signal routine that has become so popular in the world of sports, claiming the law is “discriminatory.”

Ryan Smith, the owner of the Utah Jazz, has been a “notable critic” of the legislature’s decision to override Gov. Cox’s veto of HB11, the law banning men from participating in women’s sports, according to Deseret News. The Jazz’s statement read:

The Utah Jazz oppose discriminatory legislation. We are committed to our values of inclusivity, mutual respect, and fair play.

Beyond basketball, we hope for an equitable solution that shows love and compassion for all our youth.

Smith also owns Real Salt Lake, the state’s soccer team, which also issued a statement:

Real Salt Lake stands opposed to legislating discrimination. Our club remains steadfastly committed to the “Soccer for ALL” tenets of inclusion, respect, and fair play.

Beyond the field, we always strive for equitable solutions that demonstrate love and compassion for all, especially the youth in our community.

Imagine thinking that “fair play” means allowing biological men to participate in girls’ sports, when they clearly have a physical advantage.

Statement from #rsl about HB11. pic.twitter.com/gfYFEancbb

— James Edward (@DNewsPreps) March 26, 2022

Earlier in the week, Smith tweeted his disapproval of the bill, insisting that the state should favor transgender females over biological females:

“Never let a problem to be solved become more important than a person to be loved.”

We need to love these kids.

This bill was rushed, flawed, and won’t hold up over time. I’m hopeful we can find a better way.

Regardless, to all in the LGBTQ+ community, you’re safe with us.

"Never let a problem to be solved become more important than a person to be loved."

We need to love these kids.

This bill was rushed, flawed, and won’t hold up over time. I'm hopeful we can find a better way.

Regardless, to all in the LGBTQ+ community, you're safe with us. https://t.co/Ct3eYBPbXK

— Ryan Smith (@RyanQualtrics) March 23, 2022

Of course, Smith is right in suggesting that kids must be loved. But that raises an important question: Who is loving the female athletes who can’t possibly hope to achieve victory, when biological men are competing with them? Why are they somehow less worthy?

The reality is that allowing males to play against girls is clearly unfair and would deprive female athletes of the opportunity to win at their chosen sport. It is the reason Lia Thomas’ “victory” at the NCAA championships caused such a huge controversy. Everyone can see this is wrong, even though progressives continue trying to gaslight the public into believing that they are not seeing what they are clearly seeing.

Fortunately, Utah is not the only state passing legislation to address this issue. Three other states are considering similar legislation, and more are sure to follow as the push for transgender females in women’s sports continues. So far, the far-left is not winning the messaging battle. But sensible Americans must be willing to stand up against this – otherwise they might lose the long game.