Complex sentence: The "National Enquirer" tabloid contacted him in 1997 to inform him that they intended to "out" him as being gay; he surprised many when he decided to grant them an interview commenting on his sexual orientation, which was published in July 1997.
Split into simpler sentences: The "National Enquirer" tabloid contacted him in 1997 to inform him that they intended to "out" him as being gay. He surprised many when he decided to grant them an interview commenting on his sexual orientation, which was published in July 1997.