Miss Major Griffin-Gracy (L), instrumental in the stonewall Uprising, endorsed Vermont senator Bernie Sanders. (Twitter/ Ronen Tivony / Echoes WIre/Barcroft Media via Getty Images)

As centrist candidates suspend campaigns to spur unity, left-leaning Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders has received a potent endorsement from Stonewall veteran Miss Major.

Sitting in her home surrounded by perfume bottles, polished knick-knacks and unicorn figurines, Miss Major Griffin-Gracy delivered Monday a brief but sharply worded video message to her followers: “Go Bernie!”

Although known for her role in the Stonewall uprising, the 79-year-old founded the House of GG, an educational retreat and historical centre dedicated to trans and gender non-conforming Americans.

She also led the Transgender, Gender Variant, Intersex Justice Project (TGIJP) which works to “challenge and end the human rights abuses committed against TGI people in California prisons, jails, detention centres and beyond”.

Griffin-Gracy throwing her support to the Vermont senator comes as multiple candidates dramatically bowed out from the once clogged-up race, ratcheting up tensions and lifting the political fortunes of liberal front-runner and former vice president Joe Biden. This strengthened moderate voting bloc will, some political analysts say, potentially form a stronger opposition to Sanders in the primaries.

What did Miss Major Griffin-Gracy say?

“Go Bernie!” she rallied, “you must vote for Bernie Sanders.

“He’s the best guy to beat Donald Trump and that’s the most important thing in this election – beating Donald Trump.

“So, please, take my advice and let’s vote for Bernie Sanders.

“Go Bernie!” Griffin-Gracy repeated, chuckling.

“I’m proud to stand with you in the fight for justice and dignity for all,” Sanders wrote Tuesday on Twitter, thanking her for the endorsement.

Thank you @immissmajor! I'm proud to stand with you in the fight for justice and dignity for all. https://t.co/CKgWCchANK — Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) March 3, 2020

‘Listen to trans elders about who they’re supporting.’

Sanders’ robust roster of support have included pop superstar Ariana Grande in the past, but finding an ally in a trans activist of more than 40 years proved potent to many. Especially to queer folk of colour at a time where a spectre of violence continues to haunt one of the most marginalised and vulnerable communities in the country.

Miss Major Griffin-Gracy, Black trans movement elder and veteran of both the Stonewall Inn and Attica Penitentiary rebellions has endorsed #BernieSanders! #NotMeUs https://t.co/xcAlssryHn — Jillian Johnson🌻 (@JillianDURM) March 3, 2020

LISTEN TO TRANS ELDERS ABOUT WHO THEY'RE SUPPORTING Follow their lead. https://t.co/vXPAdLOrVW — Grace Thomas (@GraceGThomas) March 3, 2020

She’s no doja cat, lady Gaga, Charli xcx, but she is the reason why you’re free to express your gender today. She is the reason why you can love your gay partner today in public. She’s the reason why we aren’t discriminated in the work place. She’s the reason. Miss Major. Legend. https://t.co/tqr8ewDfnQ — ✨ (@fat_fggt) March 3, 2020

What comes next for Bernie Sanders?

It all comes down to Super Tuesday, where a sizeable chunk of delegates will vote on who they believe could unseat Trump.

In the shrinking field of candidates – once clogged with more than two dozen – just five remain now.

Candidates are going into full tilt for Super Tuesday today, with three moderates left and Sanders and Maschustests senator Elizabeth Warren repping the left-leaning Democrats.

Sanders has steered ahead in polls and previous caucus votes, and the crucial question hanging above the four-piece are whether the withdrawn campaigns and allegiances will have any impact at all.

Millions of voters across 13 states and one territory – including the battlegrounds of California and Texas – will take to the polls. Biden’s support is growing, but Sanders’ fund-raising has far outpaced other candidates.