(a) No person, whether or not acting under color of law, shall by force or threat of force, willfully intimidate or interfere with or attempt to intimidate or interfere with:
(1) Any person because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, handicap, ancestry, familial status, military status, sexual orientation or gender identity and because that person is or has been selling, purchasing, renting, financing, occupying, contracting or negotiating for the sale, purchase, rental, financing or occupation of any dwelling or applying for or participating in any service, organization or facility relating to the business of selling or renting housing accommodations;
(2) Any person because that person is or has been or in order to intimidate that person or any other person or any class of persons from:
A. Participating without discrimination on account of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, handicap, ancestry, familial status, military status, sexual orientation or gender identity in any of the activities, services, organizations or facilities described in division (a)(1) hereof;
B. Affording another person or class of persons opportunity or protection so to participate.
(3) Any person because that person is or has been or in order to discourage that person or any other person from, lawfully aiding or encouraging other persons to participate, without discrimination on account of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, handicap, ancestry, familial status, military status, sexual orientation or gender identity, in any of the activities, services, organizations or facilities described in division (a)(1) hereof, or participating lawfully in speech or peaceful assembly opposing any denial of the opportunity to so participate.
(b) This section shall not apply whenever the conduct proscribed in this section constitutes a felony under Ohio R.C. 2927.03.
(Ord. 141-1992. Passed 6-1-92; Ord. 103-1998. Passed 5-4-98. Eff. 6-4-98; Ord. 41-2013. Passed 4-15-13.)