Barbara Streisand’s Beef with Colorado + South Park Character

South Park has become an institution in Colorado because of its many ties to the Centennial State, including real-life locations, events, and sometimes even characters.

The show's creators, Trey Parker and Matt Stone, are both originally from Colorado and have never been afraid to make fun of celebrities. One of the most iconic characters based on a celebrity from the show's early days was Mecha-Streisand, a Godzilla-like robot that wreaks havoc on the town.

However, the origin of the Mecha-Streisand is a tale that's not often told and stems from the singer's opposition to a controversial ballot measure that was passed in the early 1990s.

What Did Barbara Streisand Say About Colorado?

Upon the passage of Amendment 2 in 1992, Streisand had this to say about the Centennial State:

“Let me clearly state my position tonight: It appears that a boycott is under way in Colorado, and I will personally honor it and find some other state to vacation in.”

This comment inspired the cartoon's creators to introduce a parodied version of Streisand into the show, as well as the Mecha-Streisand robot, but the ballot measure that the singer opposed was far from popular and would likely never be approved today.

What Was the Controversial Colorado Ballot Measure?

Amendment 2 essentially prohibited members of the LGBTQ community from receiving protection from anti-discrimination laws.

The measure was opposed by numerous celebrities besides Streisand, including Whoopi Goldberg, Joan Rivers, and John Landis.

Because of the nature of the amendment, it was declared unconstitutional and repealed only a few years later in 1996.

Read More: Was this South Park Character Inspired By a Colorado Wrestler?

However, the damage had been done in the eyes of the South Park creators, and Mecha-Streisand made her debut in the show's first season in 1998, much to the chagrin of the singer.