Astronomy Center Ex-Worker Advances Suit Over Emeritus Title

A federal astronomy observatory operator must face a retiree’s lawsuit alleging his “astronomer emeritus” role was terminated because he spoke out against the center’s diversity, equity, and inclusion programs, a Virginia federal judge ruled.

James Condon’s status as a former employee of Associated Universities Inc. supported his ability to sue for retaliation, the US District Court for the Western District of Virginia said. AUI was wrong that Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act only protects former employees who oppose bias related to their previous employment, the court said Tuesday.

Judge Norman K. Moon cited the US Supreme Court’s ...