Bruce Jenner Tells Diane Sawyer ... 'Farewell to Bruce'

Bruce Jenner will put his male persona to rest for good when he appears on Diane Sawyer's two hour special, sources connected to Bruce and the production tell TMZ.

We're told Jenner views the show as "a farewell to Bruce." He will "present himself" as a woman publicly for the first time. But it's not about his look -- it's about his mental state and his journey.

Our sources say Bruce does NOT reveal his new name, or dress like a woman on camera. Nevertheless, we're told Bruce sees the interview as the most significant event associated with his sex change -- more significant than the surgical procedures that will get him there.

Bruce will chronicle his life from age 5, where he identified as a woman. Jenner -- who did numerous interviews for the special over a period of time -- talks about the difficulties he's had in life living as a man but not feeling like one. He also spends significant time talking about the impact his decision to have a sex change has had on his family.

Bruce realizes he has already become a target for people who either don't understand why he's transitioning or those who have outright contempt for it. But he's doing the interview to both free himself and educate the public so others in his position don't have to go through the pain.

Our sources say some of the most compelling moments in the show -- which airs on ABC on April 24th -- are when Bruce talks about "mundane things" that will change in his new life -- day-to-day things that will change.