An Oregon man who stripped naked at Portland International Airport as a protest against airport security screeners says he was being "nude but not lewd," and characterized his act of defiance as protected political speech.

John Brennan of Portland faces charges of disorderly conduct and indecent exposure after taking off far more than his belt and shoes during the screening process before a Tuesday evening flight to San Jose, Calif.

Brennan says the Transportation Security Administration has trouble balancing the line between privacy and security, and he decided to protest because he was pulled aside after going through the metal detector.

Brennan plans to fly to San Jose on Wednesday night.