Commissioner Ryan is a born and bred Portlander and the third elected queer-identifying Portland City Commissioner; Commissioner Ryan has been living with HIV and advocating for gay rights for decades, and he is one of only several openly HIV/AIDS-positive elected officials in our nation's history.
Commissioner Ryan is a proud theater kid and has roots in Portland's arts and culture scene—he works to invest in Portland's diverse arts community, represent LGBTQI+ Portlanders, and support the cultural fabric of our river city.
In January of 2023, Commissioner Ryan was given oversight of Portland Parks & Recreation, the Arts portfolio, the Children's Levy, and the Office of Community & Civic Life in preparation for the City's government transition in January of 2025. Commissioner Ryan and his team worked with this diverse set of livability services for 18 months to strategically structure how they will work for Portlanders under this new system.
After listening, learning, and leading, Commissioner Ryan created the City's Vibrant Communities Service Area—Vibrant Communities is now the City's parks, arts, and families service area. Parks, arts, and families are what make Portland, Portland. Commissioner Ryan fought to form Vibrant Communities to recenter Portland's love of livability.
This elder queer is here for parks, arts, families, and progress.
Vibrant Communities—Portland Parks & Recreation
Commissioner Ryan led Portland Parks & Recreation to break ground on what will be Darcelle XV Plaza, decide on a clear path forward for the North Portland Aquatic Center, strengthen and expand the lifesaving Schools to Pools program, and make strategic investments that steer Portland’s parks towards greater accessibility, sustainability, and enhanced community engagement.
Commissioner Ryan recognizes the essential role that parks play in the quality of life for all Portlanders and spearheads collaborative efforts to innovate and rejuvenate our beloved green spaces. He also recognizes the interconnected nature of parks, arts, and families and is passionate about knitting our vibrant communities closer together through public space.
Learn more about Commissioner Ryan's Portland Parks & Recreation Leadership.
Vibrant Communities—The Office of Arts & Culture
Commissioner Dan Ryan led the City to strategically reimagine our relationship with the Regional Arts & Culture Council through the lens of good governance and our government transition, leading to the creation of Portland's first Office of Arts & Culture, or OAC.
The Office of Arts & Culture now lives within the City's Vibrant Communities Service Area, naturally liaising with Portland Parks & Recreation for cultural events like Summer Free for All while working citywide to leverage the Arts for economic recovery. OAC represents a new arts service delivery model for the City of Portland, and Commissioner Ryan's work—including his lifelong commitment to preservation—ensures that the arts remain a central pillar of Portland's identity.
Learn more about the Office of Arts & Culture.
Vibrant Communities—The Portland Children's Levy
Commissioner Ryan oversaw the Portland Children's Levy (PCL) since his election to Portland City Council in September 2020 through the government transition kickoff on July 1, 2024. PCL is a City of Portland property tax initiative that annually generates $19 million toward proven programs that prepare children for school, support their success in and out of the classroom, and reduce racial and ethnic disparities in their well-being and school success.
Commissioner Ryan fought to ensure that PCL lives within the City's Vibrant Communities Service Area, centering children and families as we leverage our levies for livability.
Learn more about the Portland Children's Levy.
Royal Rosarian & Sister City Liaison
Commissioner Ryan has served as the Royal Rosarian liaison since taking office in September 2020, and he delights in the yearly Rose Festival activities that feature our Sister City relationships like Kaohsiung, Taiwan. Commissioner Ryan is committed to strengthening Portland's ties with our existing sister cities and international communities as well as growing our global bonds, which is why he visited Kaohsiung as part of Portland's official diplomatic mission and rowed in the 2024 Dragon Boat Races.
Commissioner Ryan has crowned four Rose Queens (one of whom later served as Commissioner Ryan's Communications Intern), advocated for the 2022 Comeback Rose Festival, continues to advocate for the parade route's return to downtown, and is proud to enthusiastically participate in the full range of Rose Festival activities every year.
Learn more about Commissioner Ryan's local and global community building.
Commissioner Ryan's Livability Accomplishments:
- Commissioner Ryan championed the City of Portland's First World Aids Day Proclamation—increasing visibility on ending the HIV epidemic, reducing stigma around HIV and AIDS, and increasing awareness and knowledge about transmission and treatment.
- Commissioner Ryan participated in the 2022 Tongan Day of Remembrance—acknowledging the eruption of the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai volcano eruption on January 15th and demonstrating solidarity with Tongan Portlanders who struggled to connect with their loved ones amid the natural disaster.
- Commissioner Ryan led the historic 2021 Darcelle Day proclamation—celebrating and honoring Portland’s oldest drag club and home to the longest-running drag show on the West Coast.
- Commissioner Ryan participated in a panel hosted by MusicPortland, affirming his commitment to connect the dots on public safety, improving homelessness, and stimulating a post-pandemic economy.
- Commissioner Ryan co-led City Council's 2021 Portland Pride declaration.
- Commissioner Ryan spoke at Bybee Lakes Hope Center in December for the Domicile Unknown report— recognizing and honoring the deaths of residents experiencing homelessness.
- Commissioner Ryan is an avid supporter of the Portland Rose Festival and supports as the City's official liaison. He has supported economic recovery efforts including the comeback Portland Rose Festival on May 27, 2022.
- Voted in favor of expanding abortion access.