KARACHI: Kami Sid, a transgender activist, takes on the challenges in her life with grace and confidence. She became Pakistan’s first transgender fashion model when her photo shoot spread like wildfire all over social media. Talking to media she said, “The photo shoot took so long. I was worried I will get late for my friend’s Mehndi.” Rani, an upcoming short film portraying the social taboos linked to transgender men and women,will see Kami taking on a leading role for the very first time. “The movie touches on several social issues,” she said. Life was tough, she added, as she was born in Karachi and raised by a single mother.“We were seven siblings and it wasn’t easy.” “You know your mother is your mother. She will love you no matter what. But people said ugly things,” she mentioned. She was 22 when she made peace with her identity. She always felt feminine while growing up. “I would not go out. I would hide indoors,” Kami said. She started working for non-profit organisation tackling AIDS in the country. That allowed her to understand and embrace the fact that she was different from others. “In the end its just about loving yourself,” she said. Kami says she wants to dedicate herself to mentoring other transgender people in the future.